Representative Dawa Tsering (left) receiving the Tibetan flame of truth torch from the president of Tibetan Association during a ceremony in Taipei on 6 September 2012/Photos by OoT Taiwan
TAIPEI: A cross-country bike rally organised by Tibetans in Taiwan as part of the flame of truth relay concluded yesterday in Taipei after five days of journey.
Beginning their journey on the occasion of 52nd Tibetan democracy day on 2 September, the bikers covered around 1,100 kilometers from Taipei in north to Kaohsiung in south, passing through major cities of Taiwan to highlight the plight of Tibetans living under the repressive policies of the Chinese government. Since March, 51 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland. 41 of them have died.
The bikers received a rousing reception from a group of Tibetans and supporters at a ceremony at the liberty square gate in Taipei city. The ceremony also marked the end of flame of truth torch relay in Taiwan. The Tibetans and supporters have pledged to continue to work together in solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet.
Mr Dachompa, president of Taiwan Tibetan Association, then handed over the torch to Mr Dawa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr Dawa Tsering thanked the participants of the cross-country bike rally by presenting them with traditional greeting scarves (Khatak.)
Tibetan bikers return to Taipei after a 5-day cross-country rally in Taiwan to highlight the plight of Tibetans in Tibet
