Xu Feihong stated that the 14th Dalai Lama has already affirmed that the tradition of Dalai Lama succession will go on.

The assertion comes days after the Tibetan spiritual leader confirmed that the centuries old tradition would continue through reincarnation after his death. Beijing had subsequently said any successor would have to be “approved by the central government” run by Xi Jinping and mandated a selection process.

While citing centuries-old tradition, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said that the practice of Living Buddha reincarnation has continued over 700 years and that the 14th Dalai Lama is part of this long-standing tradition.