China rules out Dalai Lama appointing his own successor

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, does not have a right to choose how his successor will be appointed and must follow the historical and religious tradition of reincarnation, a Chinese official has said.

It is unclear how the Dalai Lama, 76, who lives in India and is revered by many Tibetans, plans to pick his successor. He has said the process might break with tradition - either by being hand-picked by him or through democratic elections.

But Padma Choling, the Chinese-appointed governor of Tibet, said the Dalai Lama had no right to abolish the institution of reincarnation, underscoring China's hardline stance on one of the most sensitive issues for the restless and remote region.

"I don't think this is appropriate. It's impossible, that's what I think," the governor said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's parliament, when asked about the Dalai Lama's suggestion that his successor may not be his reincarnation.

"We must respect the historical institutions and religious rituals of Tibetan Buddhism," said the former soldier in the People's Liberation Army.

The Chinese government says it has to approve all reincarnations of living Buddhas, or senior religious figures in Tibetan Buddhism. It also says China has to sign off on the next Dalai Lama.

Some worry that once the Dalai Lama dies, China will simply appoint its own successor, raising the possibility of there being two - one recognised by China and the other chosen by exiles or with the blessing of the current incarnation.