, Penpa Tsering, has strongly criticized China's stance on the succession of the Dalai){kind=link}
Central Tibetan Administration chief Penpa Tsering dismissed China’s claim over selecting the next Dalai Lama
June 10, 2026: The head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Penpa Tsering, has strongly criticized China’s stance on the succession of the Dalai Lama, asserting that Beijing has no right to determine the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Tsering accused China of attempting to control every aspect of Tibetan affairs and rejected its claims regarding the selection of the next Dalai Lama.
Referring to China’s belief that the Tibet issue would fade away after the passing of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tsering said such an assumption was misplaced. He recalled the Dalai Lama’s statement that his successor would be born in the “free world” and emphasized that the process of identifying the next Dalai Lama begins only when the current spiritual leader is ready to leave this world. Tsering also noted that the Dalai Lama remains committed to a long life and has spoken about living up to 130 years.
In a sharp message directed at Beijing, Tsering remarked that it remains to be seen whether communism outlasts the Dalai Lama or vice versa. He further alleged that China has failed to win the trust and goodwill of Tibetans through its policies. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Tibetan leaders in exile and China over religious freedom, cultural identity, and the future of Tibet.