China slams Dalai Lama, says Beijing will choose Buddhist leader's successor

The Dalai Lama wrote in his latest book 'Voice for the Voiceless' that the next spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism would be born outside of China, which prompted criticism from China's foreign ministry, according to news agency Reuters.

Addressing the leader's claims, it said, “He has no right to represent the people of Tibet. Reincarnations of the living Buddha, including the Dalai Lama, should abide by the regulations of the country.” "Reincarnation is a unique tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and the central government identified the name of the Dalai Lama's living Buddha," they continued.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman referred to the Dalai Lama as "a political exile who is engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion" in response to questions regarding the book during a press briefing on Monday.