The Dalai Lama arrived Sunday in Taiwan to bless the survivors of Typhoon Morakot, which left nearly 700 people dead after it hit the island on Aug 8.

He visited typhoon disaster areas in southern Taiwan, comforted survivors and held a prayer meeting for typhoon victims attended by 15,000 people.

China twice protested the Dalai Lama's visit and warned Taipei that the visit would damage Taipei-Beijing ties, which have been improving since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008.

To retaliate against Taiwan for allowing the visit, China has cancelled or postponed several delegations' trips to Taiwan.

To avoid further angering China, Ma did not meet with the Dalai Lama, and the Dalai Lama's second prayer meeting was cancelled.

The Dalai Lama previously visited Taiwan in 1997 and 2003 to promote Buddhism. Most Taiwanese are Buddhists including some followers of the Dalai Lama.