China Hits Back After Dalai Lama Says Only His Trust Can Name Successor

Beijing says process must follow religious rituals, historical conventions, Chinese laws

- Michelle Ng

BEIJING — The Dalai Lama said only his organisation can recognise his reincarnation, a statement that Beijing has swiftly rejected amid a renewed tussle over who has the right to appoint the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, as it insists that any successor must be approved by the Chinese government.

In a recorded video statement on July 2, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, whom Beijing regards as a separatist, reiterated that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust he founded "has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation".

"No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," said the Dalai Lama, whose statement comes four days ahead of his 90th birthday on July 7, in a clear rebuke to China, which annexed Tibet in 1951.

He also affirmed that he will have a successor upon his death, ending years of speculation that began when he previously indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role.

Many observers widely expect China to name its rival successor to the Dalai Lama post, as a Beijing-backed leader would help legitimise its rule in Tibet, which has long resisted full assimilation into Chinese culture.

At the regular media briefing on July 2, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Dalai Lama's succession must comply with religious rituals and historical conventions as well as Chinese laws and regulations.

"The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other grand living Buddhas must go through the golden urn lottery procedure and be subject to the approval of the central government," she said.

The lot-drawing system, where names are drawn from a golden urn, was introduced during the Qing Dynasty in 1793.