Tue Jul 08 11:55:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article formatted from it:
**Summary:**
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement on the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, accusing the Dalai Lama of being a separatist operating under the guise of religion. China also reiterated its stance that the U.S. has no right to interfere in Tibet-related issues, emphasizing the sensitivity of the matter. The statement follows the Dalai Lama’s assurance that he will be reincarnated and that his institution will identify his successor, contradicting China’s claim of authority over the selection process. The dispute also includes the contested appointment of the Panchen Lama, further highlighting the ongoing tensions over religious and political control in Tibet.
**News Article:**
**China Rebukes US Over Dalai Lama Support, Reasserts Control Over Tibetan Affairs**
**Beijing, July 8, 2025** – The Chinese Foreign Ministry today sharply criticized the United States following remarks made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. Spokesperson Mao Ning accused the Dalai Lama of being a “political exile” engaged in “anti-China separatist activities cloaked in religion.”
The Ministry stated that the U.S. is in “no position to point fingers” at China regarding Tibet, urging Washington to recognize the “importance and sensitivity of Tibet-related issues.” This rebuke comes after Rubio’s statement affirming support for preserving Tibetan linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including the freedom to choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.
China maintains it practices freedom of religious belief, asserting its right to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, citing a legacy from imperial times. The dispute has intensified following the Dalai Lama’s announcement that he will be reincarnated and that a non-profit institution established by him will hold the sole authority to identify his reincarnation.
Adding to the complexity, the issue of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest figure, remains a point of contention. In 1995, the Dalai Lama’s chosen Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, disappeared. The Chinese government subsequently appointed Gyaltsen Norbu to the role, a move widely rejected by Tibetan Buddhists. Rubio previously called for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated its belief that the Dalai Lama has no right to represent the Tibetan people or decide the region’s future, further underscoring the deep divisions and ongoing tensions surrounding Tibet’s status and religious leadership.
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