Taiwan, which turned away the Dalai Lama last year on fears of upsetting China, has approved a visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader next week to comfort victims of a deadly typhoon, the government said yesterday.

Beijing brands the India-based Tibetan luminary as a separatist and condemns his trips abroad. Thus far it has had no official comment on news of the Taiwan visit.

However, regardless of what its official statements turn out to be, the Chinese government may be unlikely to retaliate with any steps that could choke off growing bilateral trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Chinese public opinion is easily riled by shows of support for the Dalai Lama, but Beijing is also aware any strong moves could play into the hands of Taiwan opponents of President Ma Ying-jeou, who has sought to ease tensions with Beijing.

"We've ... decided to let the Dalai Lama visit as he is coming here to pray for the dead victims, as well as the survivors," Mr Ma said while visiting typhoon survivors.

"President Ma has done the right thing after a long, long time," said Khedroob Thondup, a Taipei-based member of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. "If they refused His Holiness, there would have been a backlash."

The Dalai Lama was always eager to visit Taiwan and is looking forward to the trip, his aide said from the Indian hill town of Dharamsala, headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Taiwan, home to a large exiled Tibetan community and millions of Buddhists, allowed visits by the Dalai Lama in 1997 and 2001.

President Ma last year quashed hopes for a new visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader, saying the timing was wrong as his government was working to improve relations with China. Taiwan Buddhist groups criticised the decision.

Since taking office last year, Mr Ma's administration has avoided action that could anger Beijing as he pursues trade ties.

However, Karma Chopel, a senior member of the exiled Tibetan government, said that since Mr Ma took office there had been a change for the better between Dharamsala and Taiwan.

"It is a change in situation and the visit could be significant for the Tibetan cause, especially in the eyes of the international community," said Mr Chopel, a former speaker in the exiled government's Parliament.

Invited this week by local governments in south Taiwan, where this month's typhoon is feared to have killed nearly 700 people in mudslides, the Dalai Lama will comfort survivors, many of whom are homeless, Taiwan's information office said.