Taiwan rejects Dalai Lama visit

[Namdrol]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/322600/taiwan-rejects-dalai-lama-visit

Published: 22/11/2012 at 03:47 PM

Taiwan has decided to bar the Dalai Lama from entering the island, triggering an angry response from a women's organisation that had invited him to a meeting there next month.

The Taiwan chapter of the Federation of Business and Professional Women, headed by former vice president Annette Lu, said the move reflected fear of angering China, which sees the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader as a separatist.

"We are angry as the government is obviously worried about China's reaction. It's ridiculous that Taiwan has to listen to China and seek its approval before doing anything," said a spokeswoman for Lu.

The federation said that they had contacted the Dalai Lama directly and that he had agreed to attend their Asia Pacific regional conference in Taipei in December.

Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed that they would not allow the visit, but denied China had anything to do with the decision.

"It's just not a good time," foreign ministry spokesman Steve Hsia told AFP, declining to elaborate.

China is highly critical of the Dalai Lama, suspecting him of seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland, even though he says he only wants greater autonomy and religious freedom.

The Dalai Lama had voiced a wish to visit Taiwan in 2008, but at that time, too, the island's government had argued the time was not right.

He did visit Taiwan in 2009 to comfort victims of a deadly typhoon in a trip that was strongly criticised by China and reportedly triggered mass cancellations of mainland tourist groups to the island.

Dalai Lama visits to Taiwan are particularly galling for China, as it still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, even though it has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949.

Ties between Taiwan and China have improved markedly since Ma Ying-Jeou became Taiwan's president in 2008 on a Beijing-friendly platform.

[DharmaDefender]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/322600/taiwan-rejects-dalai-lama-visit

Published: 22/11/2012 at 03:47 PM

Taiwan has decided to bar the Dalai Lama from entering the island, triggering an angry response from a women's organisation that had invited him to a meeting there next month.

The Taiwan chapter of the Federation of Business and Professional Women, headed by former vice president Annette Lu, said the move reflected fear of angering China, which sees the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader as a separatist.

"We are angry as the government is obviously worried about China's reaction. It's ridiculous that Taiwan has to listen to China and seek its approval before doing anything," said a spokeswoman for Lu.

The federation said that they had contacted the Dalai Lama directly and that he had agreed to attend their Asia Pacific regional conference in Taipei in December.

Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed that they would not allow the visit, but denied China had anything to do with the decision.

"It's just not a good time," foreign ministry spokesman Steve Hsia told AFP, declining to elaborate.

China is highly critical of the Dalai Lama, suspecting him of seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland, even though he says he only wants greater autonomy and religious freedom.

The Dalai Lama had voiced a wish to visit Taiwan in 2008, but at that time, too, the island's government had argued the time was not right.

He did visit Taiwan in 2009 to comfort victims of a deadly typhoon in a trip that was strongly criticised by China and reportedly triggered mass cancellations of mainland tourist groups to the island.

Dalai Lama visits to Taiwan are particularly galling for China, as it still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, even though it has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949.

Ties between Taiwan and China have improved markedly since Ma Ying-Jeou became Taiwan's president in 2008 on a Beijing-friendly platform.

Well thats interesting...my 2p on this...

1. the tables have turned eh? In the past, it was the Dalai Lama telling people not to visit Taiwan. Now, the Taiwanese dont want him either

2. must be a real relief for the Dorje Shugden groups in Taiwan. Being dubbed anti-Dalai Lama (although they are not) might just bring them a little bit more support from the Taiwanese government. Even if the support is inferred and not overt, my guess is that itll still ease the pressure for them

3. as the pro-Dalai Lama faction loses support, it will make it easier for Dorje Shugden groups in Taiwan to spread the Dharma, because the pro-Dalai Lama groups have to watch their step

4. its a sign that Tibets losing support in the world for their independence. First, Washington makes His Holiness go out of the back door, like hes something to be ashamed of. Now, Taiwan who used to seek independence (and was therefore supposed to be Tibets natural ally) has rejected the Tibetan leaders visit even though hes not a political leader anymore, and "just" a spiritual leader!

Poor Tibetans. No one likes them, and they dont like each other!

[Manjushri]

A country rejecting the Dalai Lama's visit with fears of upsetting its relationship with China is not foreign to us. Shows how much power and influence China has throughout the world, that even a leader in world peace can have His entry into the country denied. Also shows what interest the Taiwanese want for its people.

There's a sentence in the article which reads: "China is highly critical of the Dalai Lama, suspecting him of seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland, even though he says he only wants greater autonomy and religious freedom."

.... Eventhough HH only wants religious freedom. What about wanting religious freedom for your own people!! Dorje Shugden practitioners are surely entitled to religious freedom too right? Afterall, they are still human and entitled to the same treatment and "benefits" as everyone else. 

[brian]

Now I know Taiwan (previously I only think China) is a good place to practice Dorje Shugden because of this situation. I agree to a point that Taiwan can be a great place for Dorje Shugden to grow as well because of the government's supportive (or rather fearing to irk) China's stances. I feel even with the ban and HH Dalai Lama's students in Taiwan will not be able to do much to ban or impose harm onto Dorje Shugden practitioners there. So this is good news!

[Positive Change]

Now this is indeed a blow to the Dalai Lama camp! It is true that the popular hold of HH is fast losing ground especially in the world of politics. And the strange thing is, Buddhism is a religion of tolerance and compassion, something that thrives on neutrality and hence should be embraced by governments on a whole. But alas, the use of politics for monetary gain is gaining fast ground in this degenerate age and nothing else really matters!

the weird thing is though, in barring HHDL from entering Taiwan, the Taiwanese government have in my opinion shot themselves in the foot. There are so many positive implications associated with a visit by HHDL. On a spiritual sense, the blessings of such a being for Taiwan would be tremendous... and on the secular level, the potential tourist dollars it would accumulate in that very short period of HHDL visit would be exponential... Politics aside, HHDL is after all, a very popular and revered figure and people in the region would flock to Taiwan to catch a glimpse of HHDL. That makes it two strikes for the Taiwanese government. Silly of them to look into the short term whereby in the long run, a visit from HHDL would be more beneficial than any trade China can offer them. Ah well... if only politics were that simple!

[Namdrol]

What the CTA have to say about the rejection to save their face:

New Delhi, Nov. 23 (CNA) Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will only visit Taiwan "when it is convenient," an official from his office said Friday.

Tsegyam Ngaba, secretary-general to the Dalai Lama's Office, said the Dalai Lama 's overseas trip are based on the principles of "not causing inconvenience to the host governments," and "when time permits."

The Dalai Lama learned about a month ago from his foundation's Taiwan office that "it is temporarily not convenient" for him to visit Taiwan, and he therefore made no further arrangements in this regard, the secretary-general told the CNA via telephone.

His remarks came following criticism from opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians, who accused President Ma Ying-jeou of blocking the Dalai Lama's visit to avoid angering Beijing.

The Dalai Lama had been invited to give a keynote speech at the 2012 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) scheduled to be held Dec. 1-3 in Taipei, according to former Vice President Annette Lu, who is founding president of BPW Taiwan.

Meanwhile that day, Lu and the DPP legislative caucus called a news conference in which they accused Ma of denigrating the nation's dignity.

In response, the Presidential Office said the government's decision to turn down the visit was based on a "professional assessment" by the relevant authorities.

Lu met with the Dalai Lama in New Delhi Jan. 27 this year, during which she invited him to attend the conference, which he later accepted.

The Dalai Lama last visited Taiwan in 2009 in the wake of Typhoon Morakot, which wreaked havoc in southern Taiwan in August that year. He previously visited in 1997 and again in 2001

[samayakeeper]

A high lama once predicted that China and Taiwan would eventually close political ranks and might become as one nation during some of our lifetime.

I agree with some postings in this thread that the rejection by the Taiwan government for HHDL visit makes Taiwan a better and conducive country to practice and for the flourish of Dorje Shugden practice. And the other country is, of course, in China. Shugdenpas would have no fear living in such countries compared to other countries where HHDL administration and influence still prevail.

I cannot understand how a so called government in exile can govern its so called people without a country. This they cannot even govern yet they want to crush the spiritual practice of its people who had for decades been loyal to Dorje Shugden and who believe Dorje Shugden is their savior and their main protector.

[yontenjamyang]

Sorry for the people of Taiwan. This is to be expected also for countries in the Pan Asia Pacific ie East and South East Asia. This is to the power of China. No one wants to upset China. The Dalai Lama may be a Nobel laureate but politics and money super cede all this in this degenerate age.

For me, it goes to show the importance of Shugden practice in China in the sense the longer the ban is in place, more people will adopt anything "ban" by the Dalai Lama. This is the skillful means of the Dalai Lama. We shall see how all this pans out in the medium term. All this are related to the ban, Dalai Lama succession and China.
Interesting but all for the optimum benefit of sentient beings.

[DharmaSpace]

They should have banned the CTA instead from going to Taiwan.

Taiwan the real enemy to freedom is CTA, they have this draconian law that forbids religious freedom, despite overwhelming evidence that Dorje Shudgen is a Buddha they chose to ignore and enforce an inhuman ban on the practitioners of DS.

[Ensapa]

What the CTA have to say about the rejection to save their face:

New Delhi, Nov. 23 (CNA) Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will only visit Taiwan "when it is convenient," an official from his office said Friday.

Tsegyam Ngaba, secretary-general to the Dalai Lama's Office, said the Dalai Lama 's overseas trip are based on the principles of "not causing inconvenience to the host governments," and "when time permits."

The Dalai Lama learned about a month ago from his foundation's Taiwan office that "it is temporarily not convenient" for him to visit Taiwan, and he therefore made no further arrangements in this regard, the secretary-general told the CNA via telephone.

His remarks came following criticism from opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians, who accused President Ma Ying-jeou of blocking the Dalai Lama's visit to avoid angering Beijing.

The Dalai Lama had been invited to give a keynote speech at the 2012 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) scheduled to be held Dec. 1-3 in Taipei, according to former Vice President Annette Lu, who is founding president of BPW Taiwan.

Meanwhile that day, Lu and the DPP legislative caucus called a news conference in which they accused Ma of denigrating the nation's dignity.

In response, the Presidential Office said the government's decision to turn down the visit was based on a "professional assessment" by the relevant authorities.

Lu met with the Dalai Lama in New Delhi Jan. 27 this year, during which she invited him to attend the conference, which he later accepted.

The Dalai Lama last visited Taiwan in 2009 in the wake of Typhoon Morakot, which wreaked havoc in southern Taiwan in August that year. He previously visited in 1997 and again in 2001

But you wanna know something really funny about all of the save face? It is that the Dalai Lama is supposed to be clairvoyant and he should know whether or not the time is really convenient to go to taiwan instead of wanting to go to taiwan and then being stopped in this way. If he did not know that this was coming to him, then how do we explain that as Chenrezig he failed to foresee his humiliation? Perhaps he is manifesting this to tell the world to think twice about his ban on Dorje Shugden

[Ensapa]

And all of a sudden, he is allowed to be back in Taiwan again...

Taiwanese lawmakers pass resolution to invite the Dalai Lama
Phayul[Thursday, December 06, 2012 15:23]


His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses survivors of Shiao Lin, the village hardest-hit by massive mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot in August 2009, in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan. (Photo/AP/Chiang Ying-ying)

DHARAMSHALA, December 6: Following Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affair’s recent decision to refuse a visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the country’s Internal Administration Committee on Thursday passed a resolution to invite the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Taiwan.

Proposing the resolution, a legislator from Democratic Progressive Party, the country’s principle opposition party, said the Dalai Lama is a “very respected religious leader” and refusing him a visa “harms Taiwan’s reputation as a democracy.”

The strong worded resolution had to be watered down after legislators from the ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) opposed parts of the tabled resolution, which condemns the Chinese government’s repression of the Tibetan independence movement and says the Dalai Lama is welcome to visit Taiwan “at any time, under any status, through any means.”

The final version of the resolution which was unanimously passed reads: “The Internal Administration Committee sincerely invites Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan.”

According to reports, the invitation will be formally sent only after the resolution passes a third reading in the legislature.

Last month, Taiwan refused to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama, who was invited to give a keynote speech at the 2012 Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in December, citing “professional assessment.”

Acting on the president’s instructions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Dalai Lama “is welcome to travel to Taiwan in due course. However, we need to arrange a more opportune time for his visit.”

DPP leaders accused President Ma Ying-jeou of blocking the Dalai Lama's visit due to pressure from Beijing while the organisers of the visit said the move reflected fear of angering China.

“The denial “was a violation of the mainstream value of an international democratic society and has jeopardized Taiwan’s international image,” Liu Shih-chung, director of the DPP’s Department of International Affairs, said in a press release shortly after the government’s decision.

The Dalai Lama visited Taiwan three times in 1997, 2001 and 2009.

The Tibetan spiritual leader last visited southern Taiwan at the invitation of seven DPP mayors and commissioners one month after Typhoon Morakot devastated parts of the south in August 2009, killing about 700 people and causing widespread damage.

Earlier this year in March, a national political party in Taiwan demanded President Ma to suspend all religious exchanges with China until Beijing stops its “oppression” on Tibetan monks and nuns.

The Taiwan Solidarity Union, a political party advocating independence for Taiwan, said that the island nation should severe religious ties with mainland China to protest the continued crackdown on religious freedom in Tibetan areas.