Pretoria’s apparent refusal to grant Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama a visa to attend a summit of Nobel peace laureates has sparked outrage in South Africa. Critics allege the government is bowing to China, undermining South African sovereignty. China’s long-held policy toward The Dalai Lama is clear: any country that welcomes him will pay a price either diplomatically, economically or both. African leaders across the continent are watching this event carefully as an indication of how China can throw its hefty weight around when it wants to assert itself with much smaller, less powerful African states.
Some of the articles referenced in this show include:
- The New York Times: ‘Dalai Lama Debacle’ stirs anger in South Africa
- Times Live (South Africa): China does not dictate to South Africa: Masango
- South China Morning Post (Hong Kong): Jacob Zuma risks Nelson Mandela’s legacy with is pro-Beijing stance
