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Surprising no one, China's pretty nonplussed about the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan, letting it be known yesterday that they "resolutely oppose" it "in whatever form and capacity." Said a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, "The Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure... Under the pretext of religion, he has all along been engaged in separatist activities." It accused the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, known for its pro-independence platform, of stirring up trouble by inviting him. The situation makes us feel sorry for Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who's kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place this time around - on one hand, you've got a populace that already accuses you of being useless and a China butt kisser and on the other hand, you've got... well, China. Source: Xinhua Photo from Taiwan Guide
China not happy about Dalai Lama in Taiwan
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happy for the Taiwanese and President Ma for taking this brave move - in a way, he doesn't really have much choice according to the recent poll of his popularity. China will always threaten economic pressure on nations that want to host the Dalai Lama and unfortunately many buckle under this pressure, especially the poorer nations. Dalai Lama has received countless high honors from all over the globe, this is remarkable when you think of a man that leads only handful of population (less the 6 million and only about 2-300,000 in exile!!!... Its good to see that more and more Chinese citizens are gaining interest and falling back to the Buddhist heritage... in that way, Dalai Lama can be tremendous influence and can truly bring a sense of harmony that is much needed in our society, especially in China. Where sense of compassion and love and kindness is long gone and destroyed by Communism...
Ma is in no way "brave" for taking this move. He had no choice. In fact, very little is brave about Ma Ying-jeou.
To understand the extent of Ma's "bravery", read this comment he made yesterday when touring a disaster-hit town: "If we don’t implement the mandatory evacuation, many people will call me incompetent and cold-blooded and blame me for causing so many to lose their lives. I’m begging you, evacuate when it is necessary."
It is comments such as this one that show just why Ma is now so unpopular that he has to let the Dalai Lama, a revered figure in Taiwan, to visit. Yes, Ma's own cowardice, demonstrated by his refusal to become directly involved in the disaster relief program for days, even by spurring on his cabinet, which IS the job of a president, is what has landed him in a position where he must compromise on this matter. Ma cares more about his reputation and the impact on his pro-China policies than he does about Taiwanese lives.
The fact that the Beijing leadership has gone to great lengths to lay the blame for the visit at the feet of the DPP, while sparing Ma, a cold-blooded mediaphile, its wrath, nicely shows the gulf that exists between the Chinese leadership and the Taiwanese people. His approval rating is down to 16 percent for a reason, and that reason is certainly NOT because Ma is brave.
Did China "threaten economic pressure" on Taiwan as you claimed?
Checking the editorial you wrote above, I only find "The Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure" who "can be tremendous influence" only over you.
Way to correctly use "nonplussed"! A daring move for which you deserve a great deal of credit, Elaine.
more religion-related hassles