DPP supports Dalai Lama visit

The Democratic Progressive Party is asking religious groups in Taiwan to extend a joint invitation to the Dalai Lama for a visit to the island in his capacity as a religious leader, said party spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang.

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen was cited by Chen as saying that the Dalai Lama should not be “blacklisted” by the president.

Cheng pointed out that Ma, during his presidential campaign, had voiced support for Tibetans under China’s persecution and had extended a welcome to the Dalai Lama.

Cheng questioned whether the Ma administration has struck a deal with Beijing over the Tibetan leader’s visit.

DPP lawmakers said they will launch a campaign asking the people to send a letter each to invite the Dalai Lama to Taiwan.

The Dalai Lama has visited Taiwan once, and he recently has expressed an interest in returning.

Ma, bent on improving ties with China, earlier this week described such a visit by the Tibetan leader as too sensitive to take place at present.

Ma said yesterday that Taiwan would extend a warm welcome to the Dalai Lama to visit for religious activities at an opportune time, as he has many followers on the island. But the timing for such a visit at this time would not be right, the president reiterated.

He made the remarks while meeting with visiting Italian Senator Salvo Fleres, at the Presidential Office. Fleres asked if it was possible for Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader to visit Taiwan.

Fleres, at the head of a six-member delegation from Italy, told Ma that he has gained a better understanding over the past three days of Taiwan’s political and economic development.

He said he has discovered that the Taiwanese people not only enjoy the fruits of democratization but also freedom of religion.

“It’s true that the Republic of China is a country where the people enjoy absolute freedom of religion and that’s the reason why all religious leaders and figures in the world are welcome to visit Taiwan,” Ma told the visitor.

Ma also urged the Italy Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, founded in 1994, to continue its efforts to better ties between the two countries, and help boost private exchanges between their people.

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