By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 16: The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday congratulated Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te, who won the presidential election, securing an unprecedented third term for his party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai established a substantial lead in the early stages of the vote count, outpacing his closest rivals from opposition parties—Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
In his statement, the Dalai Lama expressed his admiration for the Taiwanese people’s determination to uphold democratic values and wrote, “Indeed, observing the exercise of democracy, as has just taken place in Taiwan, is a source of encouragement for all of us who aspire to live in freedom and dignity.”
The Tibetan religious leader who has maintained a connection with Taiwan over the years also expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him by the Taiwanese people during his visits to Taiwan. “I have fond memories of the hospitality the people of Taiwan showed me during my visits there, when I was also able to see how firmly rooted democracy has become. The Taiwanese people have not only developed a flourishing, robust democracy, but have also achieved a great deal in terms of economics and education, while at the same time preserving their rich traditional culture,” he further wrote.
The letter highlighted maintaining good relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China by engaging in dialogues. “Good relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are of utmost importance. It is my longstanding conviction that engaging in dialogue is the best way to resolve difficult issues, whether on a local, national or international level.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated multiple times China’s determination to achieve reunification with Taiwan, viewing the island as an integral part of its territory. However, Taipei firmly rejects China’s claims, asserting its sovereignty as an independent entity separate from mainland China.
The newly-elected President, Lai Ching-te, has consistently voiced strong support for Taiwan’s autonomy and independence, sparking vehement opposition from the Chinese government. Lai’s unwavering stance on these matters has led Beijing to call him a “dangerous separatist.” The Democratic Progressive Party (DDP), under Lai’s leadership, staunchly promotes Taiwan as a distinct identity and firmly rejects Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty over the island. Despite President Lai’s calls for dialogue and negotiations, the Chinese government has adamantly refused any discussions, interpreting Lai’s proposals as a direct challenge to China’s territorial integrity.
One Response
The election in Taiwan was reverting to say the least! It was mesmerising to see the election fervour and the festive atmosphere that exuded confidence and excitement! Taiwan is blessed with democracy. It ranks eightieth in Asia and tenth in the world index of democracies! The people of Taiwan were also oppressed by the dictatorial Changkai Shek Kuomintang regime after it escaped to Taiwan after losing the civil war in China. Fortunately, it’s all behind them and with President Tsai-Ing wen’s consecutive victory of the Democratic Progressive Party and deft diplomacy, Taiwan has gained much admiration from the international community and staunch friends like the US, Japan and many others. She has raised Taiwan’s profile to the world stage and today, it’s the hottest geopolitical tussle across the Indian-Pacific region. The victory by Vice President Lai Ching-Te was the icing on the cake by the DPP. HH The Dalai Lama’s congratulatory message to President Lai on his victory is most welcome from a world icon! The Chinese communist Party is having sleepless nights over messages of Congratulations conveyed by world leaders to the victorious new leader of Taiwan! While the US sent a delegation to congratulate him, Secretary of State Blinken congratulated him on air! Japan congratulated the winner and so did Phillipines leader Marcos. However, China took exception to the Phillipines leader’s address and says, “don’t play with fire”. The Phillipines under President Marcos junior has ramped up his country’s maritime claim to the west Phillipines Sea by soliciting help from its old ally, the US and other like minded democracies like Japan and Australia. Large military exercises have been conducted on its territory with its allies and this has incensed Beijing.
The Phillipines is said to be vital in the protection of Taiwan because of its proximity to the island nation. The US is therefore pouring man, machine and money into the Phillipines to deter China. It has also reopened Pacific Island airfield that launched the atomic bombings of Japan back into commission in order to broaden its options in the event of war with China. The US is committed to defending Taiwan not only because its a democracy and shared values of human rights but it’s also because of Taiwan being a manufacturing hub of semiconductor industry. 60% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of most advanced ones are produced in Taiwan! So, in this age of high tech competition between the US and communist China, the US is determined to ensure that the all important semiconductor industry doesn’t fall into Chinese hands! The loss of Taiwan would also mean the opening of the first island chain to the Pacific Ocean which the US zealously guards as its back yard. If the Chinese gain access to the pacific this endangers American national security! Therefore, the US is not going to let go easily with Taiwan. The Chinese communists are now fabricating the UN resolution 2758 as some kind of official proclamation of Chinese claim over Taiwan! This is a UN resolution for the expulsion of Chang Kai-shek’s Kumintang Government from the UN. The Communist PRC based in China and the Republican Kuomintang based in Taiwan both claimed to represent China! But there can’t be two representatives of one single nation. So, resolution 2758 declared: “to restore all rights of the PRC of China and to recognise the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations and expel forthwith the representatives of Chang Kai-shek from the place from which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organisations related to it”. This resolution is non-binding! It doesn’t in any shape or form infer China’s claims over Taiwan nor Chang Kai-Sheks claim over China! The UN expelled Chang Kai-shek’s Government from UN. It did not expel Taiwan because Taiwan’s Government is a democratic Government, elected by the people of Taiwan while Chang Kai-sheks Government was not a democratic Government. But that doesn’t stop the communist regime to fabricate resolution 2758 as some kind of authorisation of PRC’s claim over Taiwan!!! It rewrites history and made the same fabrication in the case of Tibet whereby, it misinterpreted the priest and patron relationship between the two countries as a basis of Chinese overlordship over Tibet! However, there is no chance this will work. Knowing this, the Chinese communists tried to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty by poaching Taiwan’s diplomatic partners. During President Tsai Ing-wins tenure, the PRC poached ten of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies by pledging massive induction of economic incentives amounting to billions but often unpaid and leaving them high and dry like they did to Sri Lanka! The latest has been Naru which has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and sucked up to the PRC. Taiwan May have lost eleven of its 28 diplomatic allies but it has gained more significant partners in Europe! While Naru and Bakina Faso etc are rather insignificant tiny countries, the new partners of Taiwan in Europe are much more significant. Countries such as Lithuania, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia have become dedicated partners of Taiwan. These countries are also the most vocal supporters of Tibet too. It’s because they have been brutalised by powerful neighbours like the erstwhile USSR and Nazi Germany! So, They sympathise with Taiwan and Tibet because of their historical experience.
In the case of Tibet, Republican China sought to diminish Tibet’s sovereignty by playing the Panchen Lama card. The Republican Government lasted 130 years until they were toppled by the communists in 1949. In Rinchen Sadutsang’s memoir AN UNFORSEEN LIFE, he writes: “In 1923, the Panchen Lama secretly travelled to Mongolia. Two years later he went to Beijing and was an honoured guest of the Kuomintang Government. He spent eight years in China. In 1933 he came to Kham and stayed at the border town of Jyekundo. From there he sought permission from the Tibetan Government to return home ACCOMPANIED BY FIVE HUNDRED CHINESE SOLDIERS”. Having foreign soldiers in a sovereign nation diminishes the sovereignty of that nation. So, the Chinese used the Panchen Lama as a conduit to fulfil their wish to undermine Tibetan sovereignty. The Tibetan Government rejected this request and the Panchen Lama died in Jeykundo! We have to learn lessons from history and do everything in anyway to delegitimise Chinese claims over Tibet. It is utmost importance to claim nationhood, never accept Chinese claims over Tibet and instead rebutt and reject their claims as did Miss Tibet Tenzin Paldon when she said, TIBET IS MY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY! It’s not Bho Gyalo that caught the CCP’s attention, rather calling Tibet my COUNTRY incensed them!