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Updated Saturday, August 29, 2009 10:54 am TWN, The China Post news staff

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A clever trick to trap a weakened Ma Ying-jeou

Don't forget Mahayana Buddhism doesn't approve of a living Buddha, like the Dalai or Panchen lamas. Vajrayana Buddhism is practiced in Tibet and Mongolia and by Tibetans elsewhere.

The Dalai Lama, who is losing support in Tibet, wants to brush up his image abroad. That's why he is globe-trotting. With the Nobel laurel on his head, he would be able to knock at the door and get in Western countries. Taking advantage of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission in Taipei, the Dalai did visit Taiwan twice before.

But the timing isn't right for Taiwan, this time around. Taiwan is trying what it can to improve relations with China. It is relying ever more heavily on the other side of the Taiwan Strait for getting out of its current economic downturn and the global financial crisis.

The Ten-plus-One will come into being on January 1 next year. A larger one, the Ten-plus-Three, will be formed a year later, the other two being Japan and South Korea. The ECFA may help Taiwan, which is excluded from the free trade bloc, economically survive.

The Dalai Lama doesn't want independence for Tibet. All he wants is autonomy.

It sounds very reasonable, and the whole world supports it. The fact, however, is that his autonomy is “self-rule” of all Tibetans, including those living in Xikang and Sichuan and elsewhere near Tibet. He wants to be the Vajrayana Buddhist pope.

Beijing can't afford to negotiate a deal like that. There's no dialogue between the Dalai's exile government in Dharamsala and Beijing.

On the other hand, Beijing now has an anti-secession law, which, of course, codifies an automatic invasion of Taiwan — and Tibet and Xinjiang or New Territory as well — if the Chinese smell independence there.

We wish the People's Republic of China won't retaliate against Taiwan, for President Ma had no alternative but to welcome the Dalai Lama. Beijing always reacts strongly, often irrationally, when the Dalai Lama meets a head of state or government in any world capital.

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Comments

August 29, 2009 dorje4tibet@

It's obvious that DPP is taking advantage of the situation after the deadly typhoon Morakot. The party is trying to gain by inviting the Dalai Lama.

However, it is also clear which way The China Post is skewed.

The China Post has commented on the issue of approval of reincarnation of the Dalai Lama or Panchen Lama as if it is the authority.

On the part of the Dalai Lama, it's true that he is asking only for autonomy within one China. But he has long asked to resign as soon as the Tibetan issue is resolved.

Even in exile he has been asking to resign. But it's at the behest of the Tibetan people that he continue to assume the position he has.

He even said whether there will be a next 15th Dalai Lama or not will depend on the decision of the Tibetan people.

It will be thus clear whether or not the Dalai Lama is seeking to be a Buddhist pope.

His endeavours to have dialogue with the Chinese government is well known. The talks that have taken place between his envoys and the Chinese government were all because of his initiatives. China has only been insincere and hypocritical at all times.

And now what the Chinese government is doing -- waiting for the Dalai Lama to die. What a pity?

August 29, 2009 cia-yes@

May I advise, please!
DPP should respect the majority of victims who are indigenous people (true Taiwanese). Do not try to utilize bodies and souls of those innocent indigenous people killed in natural disaster to your political advantage, instead you should put more effort in relief job. Do you despise the "pen-tu" religious groups?
Ma has no choice, but to follow what DPP ask him to do, because he has the original sin.
Bejing should be aware of DPP's goal and trap. By stopping cross-strait negotiating, Beijing and Taipei will hurt themselves and DPP will achieve its goal very cheaply. Be calm, be intelligent and look forward for long-term benefit of people on both sides of Taiwan strait. DPP is just a storm in a tea-spoon. DPP ammunition will be completely depleted, if Beijing is insensitive to what DPP's doing. What else DPP can do except irate the Chinese mandarin. If DPP cannot irate Beijing any more, it's the time for DPP to disband and its leaders to retire, because they have no other skills to take up other jobs. How cool!
Dalai Lama, as a very intelligent person, should take not only the religious affair, but also other factors into consideration before making any decision. Don't be so easily fooled by DPP's bait.
KMT should put more effort to learn propaganda technique used by DPP instead of criticizing each other.
CNN should be busying analyze the performance of Bush in Katrina fiasco and seek opinions of US citizens whether Bush should step down instead of meddling in Taiwan's internal affair. Otherwise, if you offend more radical group, you'll get into big trouble, may be resulting in another 911.