China fights Dalai Lama's naming successor

BEIJING, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The Chinese government said it was opposed to any effort by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to name a successor, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao, responding to the Dalai Lama's recent reported comments indicating he might announce a successor, said it would violate religious rituals and historical conventions of Tibetan Buddhism regarding reincarnation of great lamas, the report said.

He stressed his government's policy of religious freedom and respect for the conventions of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after an uprising against Chinese occupation failed. He has been living in India since.

Britain's Independent reported Friday the latest incident is a sign of heightening tensions between Beijing and the Dalai Lama, regarded by Tibetans as a god-king. The Chinese regard the 72-year-old Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual leader as a dangerous separatist, encouraging independence for Tibet.

The Dalai Lama was quoted as having said Tibetans wouldn't accept a successor who was selected by China after his death.

The United States recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, despite strong opposition from China.