TAIPEI, Feb 17 (Reuter) - The Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's exiled god-king, praised Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui on Monday for initiating democratic reforms on the Nationalist island.

"I think he (Lee) has made great democracy, no doubt," the Dalai Lama told Taiwan's state television.

The Dalai Lama and Lee have been viewed by the Communist government in China as leading movements to split Tibet and Taiwan from the motherland.

The Dalai Lama said he began contacting Lee about two years ago.

"I heard he (Lee) is very Christian-minded ... and implements what he believes. This I think is very important," the Tibetan spirtual leader said.

The Dalai Lama refused to confirm when he would visit Taiwan, but acknowledged that he would possibly visit the island sometimes in March.

"I will possibly visit your beautiful country. I've been excited to see your country ..., your prosperity and your new democratic institution," he told the television.

The Dalai Lama's visit is sure to doubly provoke China, which regards Taiwan and Tibet as inseparable parts of mainland China.

Newspapers reports in Taiwan, quoting the Taiwan hosts, the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China, said the Dalai Lama would arrive on March 25 for a religious trip, giving lectures and meeting Buddhist leaders.

They said the Tibetan god-king did not rule out meeting President Lee and Interior minister Lin Feng-cheng.

Both the Presidential Office and the Interior Ministry said they had not heard of such plans.

Beijing assails the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959, as a "splittist" seeking to divide Tibet from China and accuses countries that allow him to visit of meddling in China's internal affairs.

Similarly, China regards Taiwan as a renegade province since a civil war split them in 1949. It views Lee's reforms, including direct presidential election in March 1996, and pursuit of international recognition as moves towards Taiwan independence.