Dalai Lama's Visit to Canada Draws Strong Reaction from the Chinese Gov.
Published: Monday, 11 September, 2006
Vancouver, Canada 11 September 2006 (Craig McCulloch /
Tolerance.ca) - The Dalai Lama's visit to this west coast Canadian city comes
after the Canadian parliament unanimously approved giving the 72-year old
Buddhist monk honorary citizenship.
That move and his visit brought strong reaction from the government of China.
Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa called the
Dalai Lama a separatist who should not receive such an honour. This week, he
said the citizenship and his current visit would harm Canada's image and
relationship with China.
In a press conference at Vancouver's city hall, the Dalai Lama says he is sorry
for the inconvenience, but doubts there will be much fallout for the Canadian
government.
"In the past, like in Norway, I can think of one occasion, in my visit
there and also meeting some of the leaders there, the Chinese government made
some serious protests. Then afterwards, not much consequence. So, I don't know.
I don't know. I'm very sorry, where I go they always create some inconvenience,
I'm very sorry, but hopefully not my mistake," he said.
The Dalai Lama is only the third person to ever receive honorary Canadian
citizenship. The previous recipients were Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg and
former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The Tibetan religious leader started his 18-day North American tour here in
Vancouver, with an official welcome at city hall. During his time in Vancouver,
he will officially launch the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, which
will be permanently located in the city. He will also hold a number of lectures
for thousands of attendees on a variety of topics and meet with the local Tibetan
community.
The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is to be completed by 2009 and is
designed to be non-political and non-religious. Organizers hope it will become
a leader in promoting peace, research and dialogue.
The Dalai Lama last visited Vancouver in April of 2004, where he said that
Tibetan independence is not one of his goals. Instead, he would like some sort
of meaningful autonomy with the China.
After the Vancouver events, the Tibetan Buddhist leader will continue on Monday
to Los Angeles, Denver and then several cities in New York State before
returning home to Dharmsala, India on September 25.
