By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, July 9: Taiwan recently formed the Parliament Group for Tibet on Wednesday. Chairman of the group and Independent legislator, Freddy Lim, held the inaugural meeting of the “Taiwan Congress and Tibet Connection” in the Legislative Yuan. He said that the government should maintain an open attitude towards the Tibetan spiritual leader’s trip to Taiwan. The Tibetan community in Taiwan also hopes for a visit by their religious leader but would not insist if the Chinese government makes it impossible.
Legislator Lim noted that although the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited Taiwan several times in the last decade, Chinese protests against his travel plans have grown. The parliamentary group at the Legislative Yuan aims to contact similar organizations overseas and defend cases of human rights and freedom for Tibet on the international platform.
At the founding event on Wednesday, the participants in the group emphasized on its role against “Chinese expansionist ambitions” and promised that it would support Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong in their struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy. Speakers condemned China’s national security law and referred to it as an “ominous threat for Taiwan” as the group feared that the island could become a target for Beijing’s aggressive intentions.
The Dalai Lama on Sunday delivered a live video-session on the eve of his 85th birthday with over 1000 followers in Taiwan. He indicated a trip to Taiwan is a possibility at the end, “As the political scenario changes, I may be able to visit Taiwan. I hope for that, but it is difficult to say this at this point in time. But whether I am able to physically able to come or not, in my spirit I am with you.”
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Joanne Ou on Monday said that if an application is received, the government will respond with mutual respect and welcome the Dalai Lama to promote the teachings of Buddhism. She pointed out that he is a respected religious leader who won the Nobel Prize in 1989 and hoped that he could visit the island again to teach Dharma.
The Dalai Lama first visited Taiwan in 1997 and returned in 2001. His last visit to the country was back in 2009. However, growing pressure from China has hindered trips, especially since President Xi Jinping came to power and claimed the island nation as China’s territory.
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Recent polls in Taiwan show the Taiwanese people are more anti CCP than ever in its history. The popularity of the Kuomingtang (KMT) has dropped to historic low of 9.2. More troubling for KMT future, between the ages of 20-25 voters, they garnered a big fat ZERO!!
The once rising star, KMT’s presidential candidate, Han Kuo-yu, who China was backing against Tsai Ing-wen, not only lost the general election, but, recently, to adding insult to injury, had to endure the humiliation of being booted out of office from his mayoral chair of Kaohsiung city.. again, a first in Taiwanese history.
Taiwan seems to have a unique democracy, in that, If the citizens of a particular city is dissatisfied with their mayor, they can vote to recall him if 25% turned out under Taiwan’s election laws. And that is precisely what happened to mayor Han. A whopping 97% of Kaohsiungians voted to have him ousted. It went so bad for Han and him pitiful KMT party that the CCP through various ccp media mouth piece lamented and lambasted the party of being an utter failure and a waste of billions of dollars over the decades.
It’s quite clear where political standings are by where and how the Dalai Lama is received for visits. A litmus test of sorts.