Dharamshala — The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) held a press conference in Dharamsala on Friday regarding the recent statement by Chinese government-appointed Gyaltsen Norbu on the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. It strongly rejected both the Chinese government-installed Gyaltsen Norbu and his politically motivated statements. TYC states, “We reiterate that the future reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama lies exclusively under the authority of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, as clearly affirmed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 2, 2025.
Tsering Chomphel, President of the TYC, Tsamchoe, Organisational/International Secretary, and Thupten Tsering, Cultural Secretary of the TYC, held a press conference at the TYC office in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, on December 12, 2025, regarding the recent statement by Chinese government-appointed Gyaltsen Norbu on the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Tsering Chomphel said during the press conference, "The Tibetan Youth Congress expresses deep concern over the recent remarks made by Gyaltsen Norbu, the China-appointed and politically installed Panchen Lama. His statements, delivered on December 8, 2025 at a state sponsored symposium in Shigatse, Tibet that the recognition of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama reincarnations must adhere to Chinese law and receive formal approval from Beijing. He further asserted that the process must take place "without any interference from organizations or individuals outside the country," and praised the Chinese government's intervention in his own selection as a "legalised and standardised" method."
"At a time when global attention is focused on the future reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, such statements further heighten tensions. Although the Qing dynasty "golden urn" system was later incorporated into Tibetan religious practice, the Chinese Communist Party's attempt to depict Tibetan reincarnation traditions as inherently Chinese is a political strategy aimed at legitimizing state control. Beijing's position reflects a calculated effort to assert authority over Tibetan religion as a means of reinforcing political sovereignty," he continued.
The President states, "the comments made by the Chinese-appointed Gyaltsen Norbu demonstrate a clear disregard for Tibet's spiritual traditions, religious freedom, and long-held cultural rights. They serve as a political maneuver to justify potential plans to install a state-selected, illegitimate 15th Dalai Lama."
Tsamchoe, organisational/international Secretary of TYC said, "It is essential to remind the international communities that the true 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1995, was abducted by Chinese authorities at the age of six. He has not been seen publicly since. His whereabouts and wellbeing remain unknown, and China continues to deny independent access to verify his safety."
"Beijing's claim to religious authority over Tibetan Buddhism violates centuries-old traditions as well as international human rights standards, particularly the fundamental right to religious freedom. The Chinese Communist Party holds no moral, historical or spiritual legitimacy to interfere in the sacred Tibetan reincarnation system. These traditions belong solely to the Tibetan people and to their authentic religious institutions-not to any political entity," she added.
The President of TYC states, "The Tibetan Youth Congress therefore firmly rejects both the Chinese government-installed monk Gyaltsen Norbu and his politically motivated statements. We reiterate that the future reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama lies exclusively under the authority of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, as clearly affirmed by His Holiness on July 2, 2025: "I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter."
Thupten Tsering, Cultural Secretary of the TYC said, "Any effort by China to impose a politically manufactured successor will be categorically rejected by Tibetans, by the global Buddhist communities and by all supporters of religious freedom. We call upon governments, international organizations, and religious institutions to urge the immediate disclosure of the real 11th Panchen Lama's whereabouts, demand China to end all political interference in Tibetan religious traditions, respect Tibet's right to preserve its spiritual and cultural identity, as embodied in the long-standing principle that "The Tibetans shall be happy in Tibet, and the Chinese shall be happy in China."
"Tibetans have continued to safeguard their faith despite forced occupation, repression, and deliberate efforts to undermine our spiritual heritage. But no amount of political pressure or propaganda can erase the truth or replace Tibet's genuine spiritual lineage. Our spiritual identity endures, upheld by the unwavering commitment of the Tibetan people and the authenticity of our religious traditions," the TYC stated.
