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Miami Herald

China Reacts to Major Dalai Lama Announcement

China has reacted to the announcement from the Dalai Lama that he will be reincarnated after his death and a successor will be appointed. The Tibetan spiritual leader ended years of speculation by saying Wednesday that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognized according to past Buddhist traditions, signaling that China should stay away from the process. However, China's foreign ministry was quick to issue a statement, saying that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation "must be approved by the central government." "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government," Mao Ning, foreign ministry spokeswoman, said at a press briefing, Reuters reports. "The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas." Speaking on Wednesday at prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Dalai Lama said: "I am affirming that the institution will continue." He said the process of finding and recognizing his reincarnation lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust-a nonprofit he founded in 2015 that oversees matters related to the spiritual leader and the institute of the Dalai Lama. "No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he said. China has long maintained that it holds exclusive authority in selecting the next religious leader. Beijing insists that the reincarnated Dalai Lama must be identified within its Tibetan territories, granting the Communist Party significant control over the decision. There has long been speculation the rift could result in two competing Dalai Lamas: one chosen by the Chinese government and another backed by high-ranking monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama. This is a breaking news story-more to follow. Related Articles Who Will Be Next Dalai Lama? Tibetan Leader Set To Detail SuccessionMinnesota Buddhist Lama Celebrates 18th Birthday Before Himalayan JourneyDalai Lama Returns to India After Successful Surgery in the USBhutan Reacts to India Hosting 'Global Buddhist Summit' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.