Agence France-Presse
Associated Press
August 30, 2009

Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party has sent a
special envoy to China to firm up ties ahead of
the Dalai Lama's controversial visit to the island, a report said yesterday.

The KMT is concerned the Tibetan spiritual
leader's visit could harm warming relations with
Beijing, prompting China to delay the signing of
a major trade pact or cut down on the number of
visitors to the island, the report said.

The United Evening News was citing unnamed
sources and KMT officials were not immediately
available for comment on the report.

The Dalai Lama is set for a today to Sep. 4 visit
to the island, which is still reeling from a
devastating typhoon that struck earlier this month killing 571 people.

His trip was harshly criticised in Beijing, which
accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split Tibet
from China and opposes any official contact with him.

Ties between Taiwan and China had been on the
mend after President Ma Ying-jeou of the
Kuomintang party took office last year pledging closer links.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory
awaiting reunification - by force, if necessary.