‘Any attempts to interfere…’: China issues message for India, says reincarnation of Dalai Lama ‘inherently an internal affair’
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‘Any attempts to interfere…’: China issues message for India, says reincarnation of Dalai Lama ‘inherently an internal affair’
The Chinese government issued a strong message for India on Sunday — insisting that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama was an ‘internal matter’ for the country. The assertion comes days after the Tibetan spiritual leader confirmed that the centuries old tradition would continue through reincarnation after his death. Beijing had subsequently said any successor would have to be “approved by the central government” run by Xi Jinping and mandated a selection process. The Dalai Lama has previously said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.
“It has been noted that some Indian officials recently made some remarks regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The conferment of their religious status and titles is the prerogative of the central government of China. The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China….No interference by any external forces will be allowed,” Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong wrote on X.
He also noted that the Chinese government was opposed to any attempts “by overseas organizations or individuals to interfere in or dictate the reincarnation process”. Xu Feihong insisted that the Tibet Autonomous Region (known as Xizang in the country) was an “inalienable” Chinese territory. He also noted that Tibetan Buddhism traced its origins to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China and was primarily practiced in areas within the country.
“The lineage of the Dalai Lamas took shape and evolved within China’s Tibet region….The Chinese government upholds the principle of independence and self-governance in religious affairs and administers the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, including that of the Dalai Lama, in accordance with the law,” he added.
The Dalai Lama has previously said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing. The exiled spiritual leader also released a recorded message earlier this month — ahead of his 90th birthday — and said that the search for the next Dalai Lama should be carried out according to longstanding Buddhist traditions.
“I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he had said.