Toronto: Amidst protest by China, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama launched a peace and education centre in the western Canadian city of Vancouver, where hundreds of people including politicians and students came to meet him.
The 71-year-old Nobel peace prizewinner, who arrived in Vancouver on a three-day visit on Thursday, said on Friday that the city was chosen as the site of the centre, the world’s first to bear his name, as its multi-ethnic and multiracial population gives it harmony.
"This (centre) is purely educational, not political," the Buddhist monk said.
Among those on the centre's advisory board are former US President Jimmy Carter, former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Canadian Parliament had unanimously voted in June to award the Dalai Lama honorary Canadian citizenship, a move that drew sharp criticism from China.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said that he was proud to be named an honorary Canadian citizen.
"I come from snow land. So Canada is also similar. So I feel great honour to become an honorary citizen,” he said.
Only two other people have been granted honorary Canadian citizenship including South African leader Nelson Mandela and Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg.
Wallenberg saved Jews from extermination during World War II. Beijing had complained to the Canadian government about its decision to bestow honorary citizenship on the exiled Tibetan leader, saying the gesture could harm bilateral ties.
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs said Ottawa recognised China as the legitimate government of Tibet, but also had great respect for the Dalai Lama.
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