In April 2000, Taiwan's President-elect, Chen Shui-Bian, announces his plans...

In April 2000, Taiwan's President-elect, Chen Shui-Bian, announces his plans to invite the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to attend his inauguration the following month, despite warnings from China. The decision is seen as a significant move by Chen to assert Taiwan's independence from China and to challenge Beijing's "One China" policy, which views Taiwan as a renegade province. The move is also significant in the context of the on-going international debate over Tibet's political status and the Dalai Lama's efforts to secure greater autonomy for the region. By inviting the Dalai Lama to his inauguration, Chen was seen as expressing solidarity with the Tibetan cause and challenging China's stance on the issue.

Wednesday, 5 April, 2000