China Asserts Authority Over Dalai Lama’s Successor Amid Reincarnation Debate: ‘Must Be Approved By Central Govt’

China asserts its authority to approve the next Dalai Lama, contradicting the current Dalai Lama's declaration that the Gaden Phodrang Trust holds sole authority

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

Source : Twitter

China announced on Wednesday that the central government must approve the Dalai Lama's successor. The recent development comes after the Tibetan spiritual leader announced that he would have a reincarnated successor after his death.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled Lhasa in 1959 fearing for his life as the Chinese troops took control of Tibet. Since then he has become the global face of the struggle of Tibetans to preserve their cultural identity. 

On Wednesday, he said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, putting to rest uncertainty over whether he will have a successor after his death. In a statement made on May 21, 2025, in the Tibetan language and released by his office in Dharamshala on Wednesday, he said that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future Dalai Lama. The 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama – Tenzin Gyatso, who is also called Lhama Thondup – commenced at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Mcleodganj near Dharamshala, on June 30.

“I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and 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,” the statement said as quoted by news agency PTI.

"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," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

"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," Mao added.