Despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recent refusal to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama, the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee yesterday passed a resolution to invite the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Taiwan.

“The Dalai Lama is a very respected religious leader. It harms Taiwan’s reputation as a democracy when we refuse to issue him a visa,” said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), who proposed the resolution. “I therefore suggest that the committee should adopt a resolution sincerely welcoming him.”