TAIPEI, March 27 (AFP) - The Dalai Lama sent a heartfelt plea to the communist leadership in Beijing on Thursday to help pave the way for better ties between mainland China and the Tibetan government in exile.

"I feel my visit here is promoting closer understanding with mainland China," he told a press conference in a message to Beijing, seething at his six-day trip to Taiwan which has brought together its two arch foes.

"After all the Tibetan problem is neither good for Tibet or China. We have to find an appropriate solution," he added.

Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1951, and eight years later brutally suppressed an uprising against their rule.

Tens of thousands fled the country along with the Dalai Lama and set up a government in exile in northern India.

The Dalai Lama said the aim of his trip, the first to a Chinese society for about 40 years, could only help to promote a better understanding between Chinese and Tibetans

"I think a lot of unfortunate things happen because of lack of understanding about Tibetan culture, spirituality. I think in that respect my visit helps, helps a lot," he said.

He said he had taken a mid-way approach, adding "I believe very much in the spirit of 'one country, two systems'," referring to China's plan for the future governing of Hong Kong once it returns to Chinese rule on July 1.

Beijing has also offered the system to Taiwan, which has rejected the idea, but has not made similar approaches to Tibet.

"In the long run this visit could be a new opening to a closer understanding between the two communities. This is what I want to make clear to my brothers and sisters in mainland China."

He was talking just before leaving the island at the end of his six-day trip, which has fuelled angry protests from Beijing charging it was aimed at trying to divide the "motherland."

Earlier he met with Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui for the first time, in a unique coming together of China's two arch foes.

The Dalai Lama said he had mentioned to Lee the possibility of opening up an office on Taiwan for cultural, religious and spiritual exchanges.

Although there was no direct discussion of the issue, he felt the government's attitude was positive, he said.

Again, he stressed that he was not seeking independence but genuine autonomy for his people.

"Regarding history Tibet is a separate country, it is not as simple as the Chinese government says, both governments say," he added, referring to Taiwan, which also considers itself the sole government of China after nationalist forces fled in 1949 following a civil war.

"But history is history. Past is past. The world is changing. The world which has changed is also changing. So that under these circumstances I am seeking genuine autonomy," he told a packed press conference.

And he entered the fray about Taiwan's status, saying that he had told opposition politicians that the Taiwanese had the "right to preserve" their own culture, heritage and identity.

But he stressed the world was becoming a smaller place, and economy and defence were much bigger issues.

"So therefore some kind of close link with mainland China should be there.

Ultimately it is up to the people, I mean on the Taiwan issue."

Since the start of his trip he has taken a conciliatory tone, urging China to hold talks about the future of Tibet.

He said he was ready to meet without any preconditions as soon as he received a positive response to proposals contained in a 1987 five-point plan in which he called on China to talk about Tibet. So far there has been no official Chinese response to the plan.

Earlier in the week, the 61-year-old leader told a Taiwan television station that he believed he would live to see the return of the Tibetan refugees to their homeland.

Meanwhile, the presidential office said in a statement that the two men had discussed spiritual matters during the 45-minute meeting, and Lee had voiced the hope that they could build on their fledgling ties.