Taiwan, which turned away the Dalai Lama last year on fears of upsetting China, has approved a visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader next week to comfort victims of a deadly typhoon, the government said on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Beijing brands the India-based Tibetan luminary as a separatist and condemns his trips abroad.
But while there has been no official comment yet from Beijing on the Taiwan visit, the Chinese government may be unlikely to retaliate with any steps that could choke off trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Chinese public opinion is easily riled by shows of support for the Dalai Lama, but Beijing is also aware any strong moves could play into the hands of Taiwan opponents of President Ma Ying-jeou, who has sought to ease tensions with Beijing.
The president's office, under fire for perceptions his response to typhoon Morakot was too slow, and national security officials decided in a 5-hour meeting on Wednesday to permit a visit by the Dalai Lama from Aug. 31-Sept. 3, the Government Information Office said.
"We've ... decided to let the Dalai Lama visit as he is coming here to pray for the dead victims, as well as the survivors," Ma told reporters while visiting typhoon survivors.
"President Ma has done the right thing after a long, long time," said Khedroob Thondup, a Taipei-based member of the Tibetan parliament in exile. "If they refused His Holiness, there would have been a backlash."
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