Taipei (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou is not expected to meet with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, during his stay in Taiwan, the Presidential Office spokesman said Friday.
The exiled Tibetan leader, who was invited by local chiefs from flood-affected areas in southern Taiwan, is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan Sunday for a six-day visit before leaving Sept. 4.

During his visit, the Dalai Lama is expected to preside over a series of dharma services to console people who suffered from Typhoon Morakot, which devastated southern Taiwan with the most serious flooding and mudslides in half a century.

Asked whether Ma will attend one of the services, Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi said that, "our understanding is that the president has only planned to attend a national mourning ceremony Sept. 7 for those killed during the storm.

"There are no plans for other activities," Wang said.

Wang also dismissed the possibility of the president meeting the Dalai Lama in private.

"That probably won't happen, " Wang said. "As far as we know, the Dalai Lama is here for activities related to religious and humanitarian aspects."

Some believe the Ma administration's approval of the Dalai Lama's visit could damage Taiwan's warming relations with Beijing, and a meeting between Ma and the Tibetan leader could cause even greater friction.

By Lilian Wu