China responds in denial after Dalai Lama announces succession plans

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Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet on Wednesday affirmed that the Tibetan Buddhist institutions will continue after him. He said that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness holds the sole authority to recognise his successor.

However, China was quick to react to the announcement by Dalai Lama and said that it must be approved by the Chinese central government.

Beijing views Lama, who will turn 90 on Sunday, as a separatist as he is living in exile in India since 1959. He fled to India after a failed uprising against China. He has since then established the Tibetan govt-in-exile at Dharmasala in Himachal Pradesh.

His official statement has ended the speculation among millions of followers whether there will be another Dalai Lama after his death.

In a press conference today, the 14^th Dalai Lama today announced that his non-profit organisation will recognise his successor. But Chinese foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated that Beijing has to approve the identity of the successor and that too in China.

Also Read: Buddhist relics arrive in India, was part of an exhibition in Vietnam on UNDV

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