For the second time in two years, a visit by the Dalai Lama has been blocked by the South African government — only a week after South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe visited with Chinese leaders in Beijing. However, the government insists that it was under no pressure from China and the visa was simply not processed fast enough.
The Dalai Lama was invited by fellow Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu to celebrate the archbishop’s 80th birthday.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe came back from China with a slew of bilateral trade and investment deals. The Dalai Lama was then told that his visa was not approved in time. Just a coincidence.
The South African government previously blocked the Dalai Lama from attending a peace conference.
As with other countries, South Africa has abandoned any pretense of principle in a mad rush for the infusion of Yuan. For a nation that was once the symbol of the struggle for human rights, this is the most painful example of a race to the bottom to appease the Chinese.
They are not alone. Obama pleased the Chinese leadership — and was criticized by supporters of Tibetan freedom — by declaring Tibet a part of China.
Source: BBC
Well said for an Angry Man.
Tibet may have been integral in winning WWII but what have they done for us lately? Apparently they have nothing to offer us but friendship and the Dalai Lama So Obama, like the rest of the American politicians doesn’t see any profit to come from supporting Tibet. And the Dalai Lama only conceded to be considered part of China after the Chinese invaded and occupyed Tibet.
All reports say the Dalai Lama is a very well educated and interesting man as well as being sincerely spiritual. The dedication required to become a monk is amazing and we might want to back up a step and decide if he is perhaps there is not more to him than meets the eye. His dedication to peaceful means to all achievements is admirable at least.
Manna from China always carries a subtle price.
My granddaughter will be spending her junior year in either Japan or China, she hasn’t yet made up her mind. If she chooses Japan then she will do 9 months there and 3 months in China and vice-verse if China is her choice. Either way I am looking forward to some in depth information on the culture of the ordinary folk hopefully with some insight into the Chinese government’s actual influence on its population. (She has opted not to live in a dorm but with a host family.)
Oro Lee:
exactly.
China is a funny place from what I can figure out from reading and listening to people who know about China. Their cultural quirks seem to be exagerated by the communist party.
“This government of China must be on life support if they cower in their caves at the prospect of a frail old man visiting a country halfway around the world.”
Communism has not wiped out the impact of Confucius and his teachings in China — understood in such light, the action is totally understandable and probably supported by most Chinese. It has nothing to do with the frailty of the government, but a possible challenge to the national psyche.
Erb,
We already have enough Wars….Please don’t put that in the O’Bushma Bush/Obama suggestion box….
I hope you are right about that. It would be a great advance for working people all over the world to get rid of the Chinese Communist Party once and for all.
I guess they won’t be singing “Hello Dalai” in South Africa anytime soon.
It speaks volumes about the Chinese leadership that they are so fearful of one elderly man. Or that he might visit a foreign country. At the same time we have witnessed repeatedly the reaction of the Chinese government when someone dares to question their internal policies, or who visits there.
This government of China must be on life support if they cower in their caves at the prospect of a frail old man visiting a country halfway around the world.
Declaring Tibet part of China is something that the Dalai Lama has also done, and his request is for autonomy within China for his sect. So Obama making such a declaration is not too outlandish, more so since the US has declared that Taiwan is part of China, and China has NO control over that part of its territory, unlike Tibet. Let get something REAL to discuss.
Now I am not a big fan of any religion, and especially not Lamaism since it exercises far more control of its members than most US cults. Indeed most cults would be green with envy at how they run things. I can support their call for autonomy within Tibet since it would lead to more human rights being allowed and respected in China itself. Of course, that is why it will not be granted unless the Tibetans themselves make a mass issue of it.
I am not so sure South Africa has ever been concerned with individual rights.
They are not alone. Obama pleased the Chinese leadership — and was criticized by supporters of Tibetan freedom — by declaring Tibet a part of China…..
Now, what?
If it had not been for that independent area of Tibet…..would WWII have been successful in that theater…..
Oh heck…denounce once…denounce twice….and then say….there’s no place like home…