Dalai Lama, China Clash Over Succession Authority

The Dalai Lama has declared that his spiritual leadership will continue after his death, stating that his reincarnation will be chosen solely by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a body he established in India, following Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This directly challenges China's long-standing claim that only its government can approve the next Dalai Lama, citing the 'golden urn' process as legal precedent. China swiftly condemned the Dalai Lama’s succession plan, insisting on its central authority over the matter. The standoff has heightened tensions between Tibetan exiles and China, drawing close monitoring from international observers, including the U.S. and India. Many expect rival claimants to emerge: one recognized by Beijing, the other by Tibetan religious authorities in exile. The announcement, made just before the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, underscores the symbolic and political stakes of his succession.