TAIPEI: Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has accepted an opposition invitation to visit Taiwan next week pending approval by the China-friendly government, officials said on Wednesday.
State media earlier reported that the Dalai Lama was scheduled to arrive on Monday and visit southern Kaohsiung county, which was devastated when deadly Typhoon Morakot struck the island more than two weeks ago.
But Hsu Li-ming, chief of the Kaohsiung city government's press office, later told reporters that the visit still needed approval from President Ma Ying-jeou's government, which has recently forged closer ties with Beijing.
Ma's office and the foreign ministry would not immediately say if the visit -- at the invitation of the pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party -- would go ahead.
Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split the nation and reacts angrily to any country hosting him.
The Dalai Lama's spokesman Tenzin Taklha told AFP the Tibetan leader had accepted the invitation but said any visit depended on Taiwan's government.
Other Related News:...
- CTA’s Response to Beijing's Comments that HH the Dalai Lama does not represent the Tibetan people:
- Special Spiritual Bond Between Dalai Lama And Panchen Lama Remains: His Holiness
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins teachings in Dharamshala, emphasizes compassion
- Tibetan PM-in-exile expresses concern over China's objection to PM's Arunachal visit
- US president Obama will meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama: the senior envoy
- Visit China to know plight of Tibetans: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- Peace Through Justice: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks in Melbourne
- Tibetans and Japanese supporters pray for world peace and freedom on Mt. Fuji
- One Tibetan Sentenced To Death and Two to Long-Term Imprisonment in Eastern Tibet
- Free Tibet urges British minister to get tough on China abuses during Tibet trip
- Tibet Festival Reconnects 21st Century to Buddha's Teachings
- French Senators to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama Preaches 'Compassion through Understanding' in Tokyo
- TWA calls for women’s reproductive and sexual health rights at international platform
- Japanese PM reportedly said to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Bangalore:
The third day of the three-day event mar...
