"The visit, with the permission of the Taiwan authorities, will be extremely harmful to cross-Straits relations," said a spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The official of the top mainland body dealing with across-Straits ties said the Taiwan authorities will have to take responsibility for any serious aftermaths resulting from the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan.

The Dalai Lama's 1997 visit to Taiwan, his first ever to the island, drew fierce protests from the central government.

The Dalai Lama, who has long been advocating Tibet's separation from China, is planning to visit Taiwan from March 31 to April 10, media reports said.

He said he would attend spiritual services and meet with Buddhist leaders during his trip.

Sun Yafu, assistant director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference earlier that this move once again unmasked the support of the Taiwan authorities for the Dalai Lama's splittist group and its subversive activities.

The official pointed out that this also showed clearly that the Taiwan authorities are insincere about improving relations across the Taiwan Straits.

Political analysts in Beijing said Taipei's strengthened links with overseas anti-China forces, including the Dalai Lama clique, reflects its attempt to refuse reunification with the Chinese mainland.

(China Daily 03/30/2001)