Who chooses the next Dalai Lama? The Tibet–China standoff is back in focus
With the 14th Dalai Lama approaching his 90th birthday, the question of who picks his successor is back on the international agenda. The Tibetan government-in-exile defends the traditional monastic process, while Beijing insists 'state approval is mandatory'.
Penpa Tsering, head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said the search for the next Dalai Lama will be carried out solely under the Gaden Phodrang foundation and the traditional monastic process. Tsering called Beijing's state-approval framing a 'political appointment'.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing will continue with the historical process involving the 'golden urn' lottery and formal state approval. Lian Xiangmin, deputy director of the China Tibetology Research Centre, said the precedent of the government's role in the 1995 selection of the Panchen Lama could be applied.
Cheryl Yu of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said the succession is a diplomatic spark that will play into Australia–China and US–China relations. Under the 2020 Tibetan Policy and Support Act, the US Congress can sanction Chinese interference in the succession; Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Department's assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, said the issue could be raised at the year-end G7 meeting.
More from Australia-Pacific
The New Zealand firm that helped high-risk clients move millions
A New Zealand company moved large sums of money for multiple clients who were later convicted of financial crimes. The case revives debate over anti-money-laundering controls and client due diligence.
Aspiration has changed since the Howard era. This budget is finally catching up
Treasurer Jim Chalmers's 2026-27 budget proposes a sweeping reorientation of housing, childcare and education incentives. According to ABC analysis, the budget breaks with the middle-class identity of the John Howard era and refocuses on a younger generation of renting voters.
Australian government bails out Rex's debts owed to regional airports
Australia's federal government has provided $4.8 million to bail out council-owned airports over debts owed to them by airline Rex. Of that, $2 million was for New South Wales alone.