CHINA has expressed hope that the ageing Dalai Lama, now 90 years old, can "return to the right path," and has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions about his future under specific conditions.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Guo Jiakun, made these remarks during a press briefing on Monday, adding that any talks would be contingent on the Dalai Lama abandoning his stance on Tibet's independence.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet for India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has long harboured the wish to return to his homeland before his death.
However, China has consistently maintained that Tibet, along with Taiwan, is an inseparable part of the country.
Reuters reported that Guo emphasised that the Dalai Lama would need to openly accept that Tibet is part of China and recognize the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate authority in the region.
The comments were made in response to the death of the Dalai Lama’s elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, who died at the age of 97 in Kalimpong, India. Thondup had played a key role as the Dalai Lama’s unofficial envoy in earlier attempts to engage with Chinese officials over Tibet's status.
The issue of the Dalai Lama's successor has become a pressing concern as he ages. Beijing has repeatedly asserted that it will have the authority to choose the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, a claim rejected by the Dalai Lama.
In 2011, the Dalai Lama stepped down from his role as the political leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile, a position that is not recognised by China. Since then, official dialogues between China and his representatives have stalled.
In July, when the Dalai Lama marks his 90th birthday, he has stated he will provide clarity on his succession and the possibility of his reincarnation, in line with Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Additionally, the Dalai Lama is set to release a new book in March, timed with the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising. This book is expected to outline his vision for Tibet's future, including its trajectory "even after I am gone," as he has previously indicated. – February 10, 2025
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