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New Chinese rules on Dalai Lama New Chinese rules on Dalai Lama
(about 2 hours later)
New rules are coming into force in China giving the government more influence over how Tibetan monks select their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.New rules are coming into force in China giving the government more influence over how Tibetan monks select their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Most Tibetans believe Dalai Lamas are reincarnated after their deaths.Most Tibetans believe Dalai Lamas are reincarnated after their deaths.
But the new regulations mean future reincarnations must be approved by China's Communist government.But the new regulations mean future reincarnations must be approved by China's Communist government.
The current Dalai Lama has already nominated a successor, while the government named a different child. Both are reportedly in hiding. Observers says Beijing wants to make sure it is in charge of the selection process, mainly because of problems it has had with the current Dalai Lama.
The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says China wants to make sure it is in charge of the process, mainly because of the problems it has had with the current Dalai Lama.
US criticism
Since fleeing Tibet in 1959 he has travelled the world promoting the idea that Tibetans deserve more freedom from their Chinese masters.Since fleeing Tibet in 1959 he has travelled the world promoting the idea that Tibetans deserve more freedom from their Chinese masters.
This annoys China whose officials routinely refer to him as a separatist intent on splitting Tibet from the motherland, our correspondent adds.This annoys China whose officials routinely refer to him as a separatist intent on splitting Tibet from the motherland, our correspondent adds.
But as the Dalai Lama lives in India, Beijing can do little to control his activities. But as the Dalai Lama lives in India, Beijing can do little to control his activities, says the BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing.
In 1995 he annointed a six-year-old boy as his successor. Three days later the boy disappeared with his parents.
The new rules say Beijing will not tolerate "interference" from any person or organisation outside the country.The new rules say Beijing will not tolerate "interference" from any person or organisation outside the country.
The US commission on International Religious Freedom said the regulations undermined the right of religious communities to choose their leaders.The US commission on International Religious Freedom said the regulations undermined the right of religious communities to choose their leaders.