From Huffington-

Desmond Tutu blasted the South African government Tuesday after officials delayed the Dalai Lama's visa request to attend friend Tutu's 80th birthday celebration in the country.

Tutu criticized the decision, saying "whether [the government says] so or not, they were quite determined that they [were] not going to do anything that would upset the Chinese," according to the New York Times.

After multiple failed attempts at contacting officials about the visa request, the Dalai Lama announced Tuesday that he had to cancel the trip, which was set to begin Oct. 6.

At a news conference, Tutu continued by saying the government was "worse than the apartheid government, because at least you were expecting it with the apartheid government," the Telegraph reports. (Scroll to watch a clip.)

The government's decision has ignited some protests in South Africa, the Wall Street Journal reports. Residents are concerned the government has bowed to China by blocking the Dalai Lama's entry so as not to hurt trade.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/tutu-blasts-government-dalai-lama-cancels-visit_n_996249.html