Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen and Secretary Sonam Dorje with Martin Laflamme and Chloe Chen from the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, 10 November 2021.

Taipei: Martin Laflamme, Director of Political and Investment Affairs at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, accompanied by Chloe Chen, Director of Cultural Affairs, visited the Office of Tibet based in Taipei, Taiwan, on 10 November. The duo were welcomed by Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen and OOT Secretary Sonam Dorje.

During the interaction, Martin Laflamme expressed his pleasure at being able to visit the Office of Tibet and explained that he has travelled to Lhasa, Kham, and Amdo areas of Tibet. He also inquired about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s health, and the activities of the Office of Tibet. The Representative informed Martin Laflamme that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in excellent health based on health check-ups conducted in both allopathic and traditional Tibetan medical systems. He also said that although His Holiness is unable to travel due to the pandemic, His Holiness is regularly conducting teachings virtually.

Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen gave a brief background of the Office of Tibet and explained that the office of Tibet, Taiwan, was established as a culture center in 1998 following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visit to Taiwan in 1997 and his subsequent meeting with Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui. He also explained the activities of the Office of Tibet including its publications, Buddhist teachings, classes on Tibetan history, etc.

Representative further apprised the duo about the conditions of Tibetans in Taiwan including the challenges faced by Tibetans in getting Visas. He also talked about the recent Tibetan general elections for Sikyong and the Tibetan Parliament, and Sikyong’s virtual meeting in June with members of the Canadian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet. He expressed his gratitude to the Canadian people and government’s continued support for Tibet.

Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen and Secretary Sonam Dorje with Martin Laflamme and Chloe Chen from Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, 10 November 2021.