Phayul Newsdesk
Date: July 9, 2020
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.”    [FULL  STORY]