The mainland has canceled or postponed several events meant to highlight its rapidly improving relations with Taiwan, apparently in a show of dissatisfaction over the Dalai Lama's visit to the island, Taiwan's ruling party said yesterday.

The Dalai's visit, ostensibly aimed at comforting victims of last month's deadly typhoon, has posed the most serious challenge to relations between the island and the mainland since Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou took office 15 months ago, the party said.

Deputy Secretary General Chang Rong-kung of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) said officials sent an emissary to the mainland last week to try to explain why Ma approved the visit.