The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959 after an aborted uprising against Chinese rule (File)
Taipei:
Taiwan would welcome the visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader in exile, the Dalai Lama, his ministry of foreign affairs announced on Monday, a trip that would anger Beijing, which considers it a dangerous separatist.
The Dalai Lama did not visit the democratic island claimed by China under the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen, who took office for the first time in 2016. He last came in 2009.
The Dalai Lama said in a birthday video message to Taiwan sympathizers on Sunday that he wanted a new visit.
“As the political scenario changes, I may be able to visit you in Taiwan again. I hope so. Whatever happens, I will stay with you in mind,” he said on his website.
Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said the government has yet to receive a request to visit the island, but will treat it according to “relevant rules “, if applicable.
“We will, in accordance with the principle of mutual respect and at a time of convenience for both parties, welcome the Dalai Lama to return to Taiwan to spread the Buddhist teachings,” added Ou.
Beijing is deeply suspicious of the President of Taiwan, believing that it wishes to push for the formal independence of the island. Tsai says that Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name.
Relations between Taipei and Beijing have further deepened since Taiwan offered to host Hong Kong residents who want to leave the city after China passed a new national security law last week, an offer that Beijing has condemned.
The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959 after an aborted uprising against Chinese rule. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
China accuses him of being a “splittist”, but he says he only wants real autonomy for his distant Himalayan homeland.
(Report by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
