President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen praised the Tibetan spiritual leader as "the world's greatest religious leader" and expressed hope that the Buddhist icon would make a third visit to Taiwan to "allow an opportunity for believers in Taiwan to be showered in his wisdom and cheerful presence."
Noting Taiwan and Tibet's similar predicaments, in which both have suffered due to Chinese military expansionism, the president said "Taiwan can identify with Tibet's experience, and is willing to step up efforts enhancing exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Tibet."
PHOTO: LU CHUN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen made the remarks when touring an exhibition yesterday which featured many rarely seen photos, hand-written letters and documents relating to the Dalai Lama, as well as other presentations that showcased Tibetan culture.
The exhibition, staged as part of the events celebrating the 14th Dalai Lama's 70th birthday, was sponsored by the Tibetan Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (
Recalling the Tibetan leader's second visit to Taiwan in March 2001 during which Chen met the lama in the Presidential Office, the president said "the Dalai Lama's blithesome laughter and profound sayings" had left a strong impression on him.
Chen continued, saying that the Tibet issue has also over the years gained increasing international attention and support under the leadership of the Dalai Lama, who the president lauded as having led the Tibetan government-in-exile "with wisdom and compassion."
Opposed to the demands of hardline Tibetans for the use of violence to achieve independence from Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama called for greater autonomy for his homeland, and fled in 1959 after Beijing crushed an anti-Chinese uprising in the landlocked country.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent struggle for freedom.
The Tibetan "god-king" and the Tibetan government-in-exile are currently seated in the Indian city of Dharamsala.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old