Taiwanese president approves visit by Dalai Lama

       Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou yesterday approved a visit next week by the Dalai Lama to the typhoon-hit island in a move analysts say could damage Taipei's efforts to improve ties with China.
       "We have decided to the Dalai Lama's visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon," Ma told reporters.
       The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of trying to split Tibet from China and reacts angrily to any country or territory hosting him, said last year that he wanted to visit Taiwan but Ma said then that the timing was not right.
       The visit is likely to be greeted with consternation in Beijing because China regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force, if necessary.
       The Dalai Lama is expected to see the south of the island after it was battered by a devastating typhoon two weeks ago which left 463 people dead.
       "Ma risks undoing the goodwill he has built up with China by meeting the Dalai Lama," said George Tsai, a China expert at the Taipeibased Chinese Culture University.
       In Beijing, China's Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment on the visit.