New Delhi: The Dalai Lama has written to Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, congratulating him for his victory in the presidential election. In response, incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen has said she was “grateful” for his message.
“Observing the exercise of democracy, as has just taken place in Taiwan, is a source of encouragement for all of us who aspire to live in freedom and dignity,” the Dalai Lama wrote in a letter to Lai Sunday, according to a statement on his website.
“I have fond memories of the hospitality the people of Taiwan showed me during my visits there, when I was also able to see how firmly rooted democracy has become. The Taiwanese people have not only developed a flourishing, robust democracy, but have also achieved a great deal in terms of economics and education, while at the same time preserving their rich traditional culture,” he wrote.
In a post on social media Tuesday, President Tsai said: “Grateful for the congratulations & the inspiring message from the @DalaiLama recognising the importance of our exercise of democracy in #Taiwan to freedom & dignity worldwide.”
Grateful for the congratulations & the inspiring message from the @DalaiLama recognizing the importance of our exercise of democracy in #Taiwan to freedom & dignity worldwide. pic.twitter.com/urjkwO7sUg
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) January 16, 2024
Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a part of its own territory — a claim that is recognised by most member countries of the United Nations, including India. However, Taiwan has remained an independent self-governing territory since at least the late 1940s and has been holding democratic elections since 1996.
Lai, who belongs to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and is seen by China as a “separatist”, won Taiwan’s presidential election Saturday and will take office on 20 May. Lai was elected with just a little over 40 per cent of the total votes.
The DPP was, however, was unable to secure a majority in Taiwan’s 113-member Parliament or Legislative Yuan, finishing second with 51 seats. The main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), emerged as the single largest party with 52 seats.
In his letter to Lai, sent from Bodh Gaya, the Dalai Lama called on Taiwan and China to maintain good relations, and urged dialogue to resolve differences.
“Good relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are of utmost importance. It is my longstanding conviction that engaging in dialogue is the best way to resolve difficult issues, whether on a local, national or international level,” wrote the Dalai Lama.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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