Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday, October 16 1996

BEIJING, Oct. 15, 1996 (Kyodo) -- China warned Taiwan on Tuesday against inviting Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for a visit, saying it would further damage strained cross-strait ties.

''Should the Taiwan authorities invite him, it would not have a positive impact on Chinese-Taiwan relations,'' said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang.

In explaining Beijing's opposition, Shen said the Dalai Lama is not simply a religious leader but an exiled politician. ''He is a separatist who devotes his efforts to splitting the motherland,'' Shen added.

Taiwanese media have reported that Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui would welcome a visit by the Dalai Lama and that Taipei has decided to invite him. The reports said the visit could perhaps take place in December.

The Dalai Lama, the highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism, fled Tibet in 1959 following an unsuccessful uprising by Tibetans opposed to Chinese rule. He has campaigned for Tibet's autonomy and in 1989 won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Most nations recognize Tibet as part of China, and Beijing considers the Dalai Lama to be a separatist troublemaker. However, the spiritual leader has now renounced demands for complete independence and in 1988 proposed that Tibet become a self-governing Chinese territory in all respects except foreign affairs.

Taiwan also considers Tibet to be part of China.

Relations between China and Taiwan took a nosedive after Lee's visit to the United States in June last year with semiofficial talks being put off indefinitely.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province with no right to its own diplomatic activities.

Following intimidating Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait before and during Taiwan's presidential elections in March, hostility has somewhat abated, but no new date has been set for cross-strait talks.