“Why can the Dalai Lama not visit Taiwan now? “Lai, if you are elected president next year, would you be willing to invite the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan?” Cheng asked. The Dalai Lama visited Taiwan in 1997, 2001 and 2009 during the presidencies of Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九). Other association members urged the government to issue the invitation quickly, as the Dalai Lama is growing older and has been less able to undertake long journeys. Lawmakers in March joined the Tibetan community and organizations in launching a petition to ask the government to issue the Dalai Lama a formal invitation.

Source: Taipei Times May 23, 2019 15:56 UTC