Dalai Lama meets former Taiwan president

The Dalai Lama (L) meets former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui and his wife

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Dalai Lama smiles and clasps the hands of former President Lee Teng-hui, a reunion between two of the people greatly disliked by China.

Lee bowed deeply when he greeted the Tibetan spiritual leader at the retired president's office in suburban Taipei. The two posed for photos briefly before sending the media away and continuing their meeting in private.

The visit has not drawn immediate criticism from China as it did when the Dalai Lama visited Taiwan for the first time in 1997 and met with Lee, branded a "troublemaker" and "splittist" by Beijing.

Lee flashed his famous lopsided grin as the Dalai Lama told him how "very, very eager" the Taiwanese are about studying Buddhism.

Thousands attended the Tibetan religious leader's daily lectures during his 10-day trip.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese control. China accuses him of being a separatist, though he insists he favors greater Tibetan autonomy, not independence.

Taiwan has resisted Beijing's rule since the Communist Party in 1949 won a civil war and took over the mainland. China is eager to unify with the island and has threatened war if the island seeks a permanent break.

Lee is nicknamed "Mr. Democracy" because he presided over sweeping democratic reforms, including the first direct presidential election in 1996, which he won easily.

China suspects that Lee supports Taiwan independence -- an accusation the president says is false.

Since retiring last year after 12 years in office, Lee has kept a low profile, though many believe he still exerts much influence behind the scenes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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