DALAI LAMA BEGINS TRIP TO TAIWAN

							Dalai Lama begins trip to Taiwan
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Taiwan
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The Dalai Lama in 2007
Image: Luca Galuzzi.

The spiritual leader of Tibet the Dalai Lama, has begun his visit to Taiwan. He has travelled Tibet, , to southern Taiwan to offer condolences to victims of the recent typhoon, Morokot, which was the worst in 50 years.
Don't politicize it, that will be no good for anybody

The visit has sparked condemnation from China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a rebel seeking independence for Tibet. Taiwan has also asserted their independence from China, against the country's wishes.

—Dalai Lama's representative in Taiwan

Upon the Dalai Lama's arrival at a Taipei the train station, scuffles broke out between supporters and police, according to the Associated Press. This morning he cancelled a planned international news conference after there was concern over the politicising of his visit. The Dalai Lama's representative in Taiwan was quoted as saying "Don't politicize it, that will be no good for anybody." As he boarded his flight yesterday, the Dalai Lama emphasised his visit was not of a political nature and instead he was invited by the Taiwanese people. He is due to lead a mass prayer for the Buddhist followers on the island.