Ties with Beijing Will Not Be Harmed: His Holiness’ Representative at Chen’s Inauguration
Chen Shui Bian being sworn in as Taiwan’s President for the second consecutive term |
Dharamsala, 20 May: The presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative at the inauguration of Taiwanese President Chen Shui Bian’s second presidential term will not hinder relations between Beijing and Dharamsala, said Mr. Tashi Wangdi , His Holiness’ representative to the inaugural ceremony.
Mr. Wangdi yesterday met with Chen and his deputy, and conveyed His Holiness’ message.
Asked if the sending of a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the inaugural ceremony would harm the Beijing – Dharamsala ties, Mr. Wangdi said that there are no political overtones to his representing His Holiness and the two matters are totally different. .
Talking over phone to Voice of Tibet radio service after meeting with Mr. Chen yesterday, Mr. Wangdi, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Indian Capital and a former minister in the Tibetan cabinet, said that the exile Tibetan administration’s policy towards China is transparent, and that the relation with Taiwan is distinctively religious as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is revered highly by the Taiwanese Buddhists and Mr. Chen himself is an admirer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He also said that the exile government’s befriending Taiwan or for that matter any other country should not and will not harm the relations between China and the exile administration and that the exile administration do not make any attempts to conspire against China.
” We have gained a momentum in our ties with Beijing with the dispatch of a delegation twice to China and Taiwan does not show any displeasure over our improving ties with China. We do not try to add to the conflicts of Taiwan and China. We would instead wish to see the relations between Taiwan and China improve, ” Mr Wangdi stated.
Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said during a regular press briefing on 18 May that there will be no ground for talks with His Holiness unless and until His Holiness gives up his claim for independence for Tibet and recognises Taiwan as a part of Chinese territory.
Chen’s Democratic Progressive Party had won the recent elections.