OPEN MINDFULNESS:A DPP lawmaker pressed Simon Chang about the government’s willingness to provide a visa, while Apollo Chen again called for a visit before May 20
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 02, 2016
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter
Premier Simon Chang (張善政) yesterday promised to keep an open mind on a possible visa
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Apollo Chen yesterday speaks at a news conference in Taipei about his petition calling on President Ma Ying-jeou to approve a visa for the Dalai Lama. Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
application from the Dalai Lama, saying the government would not reject his application on political grounds.
During a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Yuan, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chuang Ruei-hsiung (莊瑞雄) asked Chang what the attitude of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration was toward allowing the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Taiwan.
“The Dalai Lama has visited Taiwan three times. As I understand, he has not applied for another visa. As long as he files an application, we will process his request accordingly,” Chang said.
Approval of a visa application would hinge on the purpose of the proposed visit, the premier said, adding: “If the visit is beneficial to both sides, I do not see any reason why we should not let him come.” [FULL STORY]
