Chi warns Taiwan over inviting Dalai Lama

Beijing, Sept 14: Chi on Wednesday warned Taiwan that allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the island, which Beijing claims as its own, will “severely impact” ties. The Dalai Lama, called a “traitor” by Chi for his views on Tibet, has been invited to Taiwan by one of its high-profile lawmakers, Freddy Lim, who met the Tibetan leader in India last week.

“The intention of some forces in Taiwan to collude with separatists seeking Tibet independence and to create disturbances will have a severe impact on relations across the Taiwan Strait,” Ma Xiaoguangan, official in-charge of Chi’s Taiwan Affairs, told the media here. “We firmly oppose the Dalai Lama’s visit to Taiwan in any form,” Ma added.

The ties between Chi and Taiwan have soured after the newly-elected Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared she did not recognise the “One Chi” principle. Following her refusal to do so, Beijing cut all its communication with Taipei.

If the Dalai Lama visits Taiwan, it can escalate the tension between the two entities.

Chi has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting trouble in Tibet to separate it from the mainland. (IANS)