SAN DIEGO >> The Dalai Lama has some simple advice for Americans as they head into the thick of the presidential campaign: They control their fate.

The Tibetan spiritual leader addressed reporters Wednesday during a five-day tour of Southern California.

“The world belongs to humanity and each country belongs to its own people, not religious leaders or kings or queens or emperors or political parties…. America belongs to about 300 millions of American people, not (the) Republican or Democratic party,” he said.

He addressed global warming to about 4,200 students and others at the University of California, San Diego, and during a brief news conference, he preached compassion and fielded questions. 

The Dalai Lama said he was neutral on U.S. involvement in Afghanistan but prefers a non-violent approach to resolving conflict. 

He also said the news media’s sniffing around is crucial to democracy.

“You should have long nose, like elephant nose,” he said. 

His current tour has not met with protests from the Chinese government as in the past. He denied that meant relations were improving.

The Dalai Lama arrived Tuesday from Hawaii. He addresses students at San Diego State University on Thursday and wraps up his visit with two days in Long Beach before heading to Chicago and Ottawa, Canada.