Many Taiwanese fear retalition from Beijing

Friday marks the end of the Dalai Lama’s five-day visit to Taiwan. His visit, which he described as a humanitarian mission, was marred with political controversy and protests.

China, fearing the Dalai Lama’s separatist message, protested the visit, warning that it would damage the Taipie-Beijing relationship. In retaliation for approving the trip, China canceled or postponed several delegates’ future trips to Taiwan.

The relationship between the countries has been steadily improving since May of 2008, when President Ma Ying-jeon took office.

Succumbing to political pressure, Ma did not meet with the Dalai Lama and a second prayer meeting for victims of Typhoon Morakot was canceled. The Dalai Lama was met by protestors, who support a Taiwan-China unification, outside his hotel and the airport.

The Dalai Lama, who continues to live in exile in India, told reporters as he left that he is “always ready to go back to Tibet.” During his five-day visit, he toured the disaster areas in Southern Taiwan, held prayer meetings for the victims of Typhoon Morakot, and comforted survivors.

Some information for this report provided by DPA.

photo AFP – VOA