Thu Jul 03 18:27:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the text:

**Summary:**

With the current Dalai Lama approaching 90, the question of his successor is raising tensions. The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, suggests his reincarnation could occur in India. However, China insists it has the right to approve the next Dalai Lama, viewing the current one as a separatist. The US supports the Dalai Lama’s right to choose his own successor. Experts are now weighing the complex interplay of religion and politics in the selection process, and the potential for a contested selection leading to two rival Dalai Lamas.

**News Article:**

**China Claims Authority Over Next Dalai Lama, Raising Succession Concerns**

**Beijing, China** – As the current Dalai Lama nears his 90th birthday, the sensitive issue of his succession is sparking renewed controversy. The Chinese government is asserting its right to approve the next Dalai Lama, a move widely seen as an attempt to control Tibetan Buddhism and undermine the spiritual leader’s influence.

The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has stated that his next reincarnation could be found amongst his followers in India. This prospect is vehemently opposed by Beijing, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist figure.

“China believes it has a legitimate role in the selection process,” stated a government spokesperson. “The selection of the Dalai Lama has historically been subject to central government approval, and this tradition should continue.”

The United States, however, has voiced support for the Dalai Lama’s right to determine his own reincarnation without external interference. This stance sets the stage for a potential diplomatic clash over the succession.

Experts warn that the conflicting claims could lead to a deeply divisive outcome. “The likelihood of having two Dalai Lamas is a real possibility,” says Robbie Barnett, a professor at SOAS University of London specializing in Tibetan-Chinese history. “If China appoints its own Dalai Lama, while the Tibetan community recognizes another, it could further destabilize the region.”

Geopolitical analyst Andy Mok of the Center for China and Globalization, and Dibyesh Anand, a professor of international relations at the University of Westminster, add weight to the growing international discussion regarding the future selection process.

The selection of the next Dalai Lama is not only a matter of religious significance but also a complex geopolitical issue with potentially far-reaching consequences. The coming years will be crucial in determining how this delicate balance between religion and regional politics will be managed.

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