Dalai Lama Declares His Successor Will Be Born Outside China, Beijing Rejects the Claim

March 11, 2025 – In a significant statement, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, has declared that his successor will be born outside China, in the "Free World". His announcement directly challenges Beijing's long-standing claim that the next Dalai Lama must be chosen from within Tibet under Chinese state supervision.

A Struggle Over Reincarnation

The Dalai Lama, now 89 years old, is the 14th holder of the title, revered by millions of Tibetans as their spiritual and political leader. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama is reincarnated after death, and his soul is believed to manifest in a newly born child.

However, Beijing has insisted that any successor must be identified within China and under its authority. In response to the Dalai Lama’s latest remarks, a spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry rejected his claim, stating:

The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion. The succession process must follow Chinese laws and religious traditions.

China further reiterated its stance that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be determined using the historical method of “lot-drawing from the golden urn”, a process that places the final decision under Chinese governmental control.

China’s Political Interests in Tibet

Despite its atheist communist ideology, China has shown an increasing interest in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly regarding the Dalai Lama’s succession. Analysts argue that China seeks to install a "puppet" successor to control Tibetans and suppress any potential movement for Tibetan autonomy.

This approach mirrors what China did with the Panchen Lama, the second most important Tibetan Buddhist leader. In 1995, after the Dalai Lama identified a six-year-old Tibetan boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the true Panchen Lama, Chinese authorities abducted the child and installed their own government-approved Panchen Lama.

Tibet’s Struggle for Autonomy

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamshala, India, since 1959, when he fled Tibet after China’s brutal crackdown on the Tibetan Uprising. On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans rose against Chinese rule, only to be met with violent repression, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

In a recent op-ed, the Dalai Lama expressed his willingness for a peaceful resolution, stating:

"I believe the Tibetan people can retain their distinct identity, language, and culture while remaining within the People's Republic of China."

However, Beijing has consistently rejected calls for greater autonomy, fearing that it could inspire similar movements in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

Global Response and Declining Western Support

During the late 20th century, Tibet’s cause gained widespread support from Hollywood celebrities, human rights activists, and world leaders. However, in recent years, the focus of Western nations, particularly the United States, has shifted towards Taiwan and Ukraine, leading to a decline in active support for Tibet.

Notably, while every U.S. President from 1990 to 2016 met with the Dalai Lama, this changed with Donald Trump and Joe Biden, both of whom avoided direct meetings to avoid worsening ties with China.

The Future of Tibetan Resistance

As the Dalai Lama prepares to turn 90 in July 2025, he has hinted that more details about his successor will be revealed later this year. His decision to declare that his reincarnation will be outside China is likely to intensify tensions with Beijing.

For Tibetans, the Dalai Lama's passing and succession could mark a turning point—a moment that could either reignite global attention on Tibet's struggle or further cement Chinese control over the region. The battle over his successor is not just a religious matter but a significant geopolitical event with far-reaching consequences.