Dalai Lama visits New York to receive medical treatment
Date
6/24/2024 3:45:14 AM
(MENAFN) The Dalai Lama, revered Tibetan spiritual leader, arrived in New York City on Sunday amidst a warm reception from hundreds of supporters at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, where his private jet landed. His visit, primarily for medical treatment, has raised questions about potential official engagements during his stay.
Previously announced by his press office, the purpose of his trip to the United States is for knee surgery, highlighting ongoing health concerns that have drawn international attention. Despite China's objections to any diplomatic engagement with him, the Dalai Lama recently met with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and a congressional delegation during a visit to India on June 19.
The political implications of his presence in the United States are underscored by the complex history of Tibet. The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the "roof of the world," spans approximately 2.5 million square kilometers with an average elevation exceeding 14,000 feet. China's establishment of sovereignty over Tibet in 1951 through the 17-Point Agreement, termed a "peaceful liberation," contrasts sharply with the Dalai Lama's view. He asserts that Tibet was historically an independent state until the Chinese People's Liberation Army's intervention in the 1950s.
Following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, where he established the Tibetan parliament and government in exile. Despite decades of dispute and China's non-recognition of this exiled government, asserting Tibet as an integral part of China since the 13th century, international attention to Tibet's status and the Dalai Lama's advocacy for Tibetan autonomy remains steadfast.
The Dalai Lama's current visit to New York City thus serves as a focal point for both his personal health and ongoing international dialogue surrounding Tibet's political status, highlighting tensions between China's sovereignty claims and the Tibetan exiled leadership's quest for autonomy.
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