Typhoon-torn Taiwan to allow Dalai Lama visit

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan said today it has agreed to let the Dalai Lama visit the island to comfort survivors of a devastating typhoon, a decision that could anger China.

Beijing considers the Buddhist spiritual leader a “splittist” for promoting autonomy in the Chinese region of Tibet. Allowing him to visit Taiwan could undermine the rapidly improving relations between Beijing and Taipei, rivals which are developing close business ties after decades of enmity.

China claims self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory, though they split amid civil war in 1949.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou made the surprise announcement when he visited a school in Nantou County that was destroyed in mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot when it hit Aug. 8-9. The storm claimed 670 lives.

“The Dalai Lama could come to Taiwan to help rest the souls of the dead and also pray for the well-being of the survivors,” Ma said.

On Wednesday, leaders of seven municipalities recently hit by Morakot issued a joint statement inviting the Dalai Lama to visit storm victims from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

The Dalai Lama has made three visits to the island over the past 12 years.

On Wednesday, Tenzin Takhla, the spiritual leader’s spokesman in Dharmsala, India, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile, said the Dalai Lama has accepted the invitation “in principle.”