Putting a possible visit by the Dalai Lama on hold

His remarks to foreign news media were a departure from his previous statements on the sensitive subject. During his campaign for president early this year, candidate Ma criticized Beijing for cracking down on violent Tibetan protesters in Lhasa against communist rule.

The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet is branded by Beijing as a “separatist” bent on splitting China, but the aging religious leader and Nobel peace laureate claims that he is only seeking “meaningful autonomy” for Tibetans, not independence.

Ma’s change in attitude is understandable and justified by the changing political climate across the Taiwan Strait, when a thaw in relations began after Ma won the presidency in March. Hosting a visit by the Dalai Lama to Taiwan would anger Beijing and set back cross-strait ties that are still fragile. President Ma did not rule out a visit to Taiwan by the “separatist” in the future at a time deemed appropriate. He may have to wait until a change of political climate favorable for his visit to Taiwan, or after he has made peace with Beijing through ongoing negotiations between his representatives and Beijing officials.

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