TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - The Dalai Lama's travel plans on Monday included a chat with a former Taiwan independence activist, a meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader's spokesman said was nonpolitical.
China has been accusing the Dalai Lama of trying to whip up anti-China sentiments during his 10-day trip to Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be a breakaway province that should eventually unify with the mainland or face war.
The Tibetan religious leader's meeting on Monday with Chen Tan-sun, the magistrate of southern Tainan County, could feed Beijing's suspicions. Chen was once an active campaigner for Taiwan independence and a leader of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, which supports independence for the island.
But, like many other former independence supporters, Chen has appeared to soften his views and is not as active as before in the independence cause. Most Taiwanese voters don't support independence because they fear breaking away permanently would prompt a Chinese attack.
After the private meeting with the Dalai Lama, Chen told reporters, ``I did not mention Taiwan independence, and he didn't bring up Tibetan independence.''
The Dalai Lama, who arrived Saturday, has repeatedly said that he came to Taiwan to lecture about Buddhism and spirituality - not to cause problems for China.
A spokesman for the Dalai Lama said Monday that the Tibetan leader was not aware of Chen's past activities in the independence movement. The religious leader met Chen before in the United States, considers him a friend, and said their meeting would focus on Buddhism.
The Dalai Lama fled China after a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. He does not support Tibetan independence, though he campaigns for greater autonomy for the Himalayan territory.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner also planned on Monday to meet with Taiwanese lawmakers.
On Thursday, he will visit Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, and on Friday he will chat with former President Lee Teng-hui.
AP-NY-04-02-01 0549EDT
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.