China Pushes Back at U.S. Over Tibet Comments, Says Washington Has 'No Right' to Interfere China has sharply criticized the United States over its recent remarks concerning Tibet, asserting that Washington is in “no position” to comment on issues related to the region. The strong response came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement in honor of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, which was celebrated by Tibetan communities around the world last week. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the U.S. for what she called unwarranted interference. “We urge the United States to fully understand the sensitivity of Tibet-related matters and the separatist nature of the Dalai clique,” she said. Mao reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that the Dalai Lama is not simply a spiritual figure but a political exile engaging in activities aimed at undermining Chinese unity under the guise of religion. “He has no right to speak for the Tibetan people, nor to decide the future of Tibet,” Mao added. In his birthday message, Secretary Rubio expressed support for preserving Tibetan language, religion, and culture. He also emphasized the importance of religious freedom, saying Tibetans should have the right to choose and honor their spiritual leaders without external interference — a clear reference to Beijing’s claims that it has the authority to oversee the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. The Dalai Lama, in a public message last week, reassured followers that he would reincarnate after his death and that a non-profit organization he established would be solely responsible for identifying his successor. This move directly counters China’s stance that it holds the authority to decide the next Dalai Lama — a claim rooted in what Beijing says is a historical precedent going back to imperial times. Tensions over religious succession are not new. In 1995, the Dalai Lama named six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism and second only to the Dalai Lama in spiritual significance. Shortly after, the boy disappeared and has not been seen publicly since. The U.S. and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for his release. In response, the Chinese government installed its own choice, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the Panchen Lama — a move widely viewed by the Tibetan community as politically motivated. The role of the Panchen Lama is especially critical, as tradition holds that he assists in identifying the next Dalai Lama after the current one passes away. This latest diplomatic clash underscores the deep and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over human rights and religious freedom, with Tibet often at the center of these disputes. While Washington continues to express concern over China’s policies in Tibet, Beijing insists that it is protecting national unity and religious harmony — and is not open to foreign criticism on the matter.

China Pushes Back at U.S. Over Tibet Comments, Says Washington Has 'No Right' to Interfere

China has sharply criticized the United States over its recent remarks concerning Tibet, asserting that Washington is in “no position” to comment on issues related to the region. The strong response came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement in honor of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, which was celebrated by Tibetan communities around the world last week.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the U.S. for what she called unwarranted interference. “We urge the United States to fully understand the sensitivity of Tibet-related matters and the separatist nature of the Dalai clique,” she said. Mao reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that the Dalai Lama is not simply a spiritual figure but a political exile engaging in activities aimed at undermining Chinese unity under the guise of religion. “He has no right to speak for the Tibetan people, nor to decide the future of Tibet,” Mao added.

In his birthday message, Secretary Rubio expressed support for preserving Tibetan language, religion, and culture. He also emphasized the importance of religious freedom, saying Tibetans should have the right to choose and honor their spiritual leaders without external interference — a clear reference to Beijing’s claims that it has the authority to oversee the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.

The Dalai Lama, in a public message last week, reassured followers that he would reincarnate after his death and that a non-profit organization he established would be solely responsible for identifying his successor. This move directly counters China’s stance that it holds the authority to decide the next Dalai Lama — a claim rooted in what Beijing says is a historical precedent going back to imperial times.

Tensions over religious succession are not new. In 1995, the Dalai Lama named six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism and second only to the Dalai Lama in spiritual significance. Shortly after, the boy disappeared and has not been seen publicly since. The U.S. and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for his release.

In response, the Chinese government installed its own choice, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the Panchen Lama — a move widely viewed by the Tibetan community as politically motivated. The role of the Panchen Lama is especially critical, as tradition holds that he assists in identifying the next Dalai Lama after the current one passes away.

This latest diplomatic clash underscores the deep and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over human rights and religious freedom, with Tibet often at the center of these disputes. While Washington continues to express concern over China’s policies in Tibet, Beijing insists that it is protecting national unity and religious harmony — and is not open to foreign criticism on the matter.

China has sharply criticized the United States over its recent remarks concerning Tibet, asserting that Washington is in “no position” to comment on issues related to the region. The strong response came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement in honor of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, which was celebrated by Tibetan communities around the world last week.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the U.S. for what she called unwarranted interference. “We urge the United States to fully understand the sensitivity of Tibet-related matters and the separatist nature of the Dalai clique,” she said. Mao reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that the Dalai Lama is not simply a spiritual figure but a political exile engaging in activities aimed at undermining Chinese unity under the guise of religion. “He has no right to speak for the Tibetan people, nor to decide the future of Tibet,” Mao added.

In his birthday message, Secretary Rubio expressed support for preserving Tibetan language, religion, and culture. He also emphasized the importance of religious freedom, saying Tibetans should have the right to choose and honor their spiritual leaders without external interference — a clear reference to Beijing’s claims that it has the authority to oversee the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.

The Dalai Lama, in a public message last week, reassured followers that he would reincarnate after his death and that a non-profit organization he established would be solely responsible for identifying his successor. This move directly counters China’s stance that it holds the authority to decide the next Dalai Lama — a claim rooted in what Beijing says is a historical precedent going back to imperial times.

Tensions over religious succession are not new. In 1995, the Dalai Lama named six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism and second only to the Dalai Lama in spiritual significance. Shortly after, the boy disappeared and has not been seen publicly since. The U.S. and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for his release.

In response, the Chinese government installed its own choice, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the Panchen Lama — a move widely viewed by the Tibetan community as politically motivated. The role of the Panchen Lama is especially critical, as tradition holds that he assists in identifying the next Dalai Lama after the current one passes away.

This latest diplomatic clash underscores the deep and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over human rights and religious freedom, with Tibet often at the center of these disputes. While Washington continues to express concern over China’s policies in Tibet, Beijing insists that it is protecting national unity and religious harmony — and is not open to foreign criticism on the matter.