The Dalai Lama saying that neither Beijing nor any other outsider has the authority to identify his successor was a powerful statement against Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hostilities and baseless claims, Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) secretary-general Tashi Tsering said yesterday.

The Dalai Lama marked his 90th birthday on Sunday.

He said last week that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and that his successor, the 15th Dalai Lama, would be born outside China.

Photo: I-Hwa Cheng, AFP

“In accordance with past tradition, the search for my reincarnation and the naming of a 15th Dalai Lama will be carried out,” he said, adding that his office has the sole authority to identify his reincarnation.

The HRNTT — a coalition of Taiwan-based non-governmental organizations — yesterday expressed support for the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists’ “firm and clear” message.

Tashi Tsering denounced the CCP’s hostile remarks about the Dalai Lama’s incarnation and the world’s support for Tibet, as well as its claim that it has the authority to name the next Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama’s speech was a powerful statement striking back at the CCP, he said, adding that only the Dalai Lama and the personal office of His Holiness have the authority to decide the future of the institution.

Tashi Tsering also called on Tibetans of all generations in Tibet or in exile to stand together.

“We should share the responsibility shouldered by His Holiness,” he said.

The coalition, the Hong Kong Outlanders (HKO) and the Students for a Free Tibet’s Taiwan chapter attended the celebration in Dharamsala to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday. They also visited the local community of Tibetans in exile to deepen the bond between Tibet and Taiwan.

Non-governmental representatives from Taiwan also attended the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration to convey their congratulations alongside Tibet’s supporters from around the world.

Hollywood actor Richard Gere, who has long supported Tibet, said in his address that the Dalai Lama belongs not only to Tibet, but also to the whole world.

The Year of Compassion would run from the Dalai Lama’s birthday through July 5 next year.

During the period, the HRNTT and civic groups in Taiwan would take an exhibition on Tibetan history and the Dalai Lama’s advocacy, titled “From the Snowy Ridges to the Ocean of Wisdom,” on tour in more cities.

They would also work with the Taiwan Parliament Group for Tibet to facilitate the establishment of the Taiwan city council group for Tibet, with the goal of bringing initiatives about Tibetan issues closer to the public.

Representatives visiting Dha-ramsala this year included Tashi Tsering, HRNTT board member Lin Hsin-yi (林欣怡), Human Rights Conventions and Covenants Watch CEO Huang Yi-bee (黃怡碧), HKO secretary-general Sky Fung (馮紹天) and HKO president Lee Peng-hsuan.