BEIJING, Feb 27 (AFP) - China Thursday warned Taiwan an impending visit to the nationalist island by the Dalai Lama "would not be favourable" to cross strait relations.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, who lives in exile in India, is scheduled to make a six-day visit to Taiwan from March 22 at the invitation of a Buddhist association.

"Whatever the pretexts which are invoked, this visit would not be favourable to relations" between the two sides, Chinese foreign affairs spokesman Tang Guoqiang said.

"The objectives of the Dalai Lama are clear," he added, reiterating China's position that "the Dalai Lama is not a religious leader but a political figure leading foreign separatist activities.

"The leaders of Taiwan must be clear on this point."

During his visit to Taiwan, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to deliver a public address at a stadium, according to a Taiwanese newspaper report quoting the head of the association which invited the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Ching Hsin, chairman of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China was quoted by the United Daily News Sunday as also saying the itinerary will not be released before March 1.

Beijing should not be offended by the trip, Ching Hsin said, noting the Dalai Lama was visiting in response to an invitation from groups representing different religions.

A monk with Ching Hsin's group told the paper it was too early to say whether the Dalai Lama would meet President Lee Teng-hui but said his organization did broach the issue with the Presidential Office.

It will be the Dalai Lama's first visit to Taiwan, which Beijing has considered a renegade province of the mainland since the end of a civil war in 1949.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet after an abortive anti-Chinese revolt in 1959.