Beijing, Mar 10(ANI): China on Thursday said that the Dalai Lama was playing "tricks" on the world, after the Buddhist spiritual leader announced his plan to retire as political head of the exiled Tibetan movement, saying that the time had come for his replacement by a "freely elected" leader.
"He has often talked about retirement in the past few years. I think these are his tricks to deceive the international community. The government-in-exile is an illegal political organization and no country in the world recognizes it," News.com.au quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu, as saying.
"The Dalai is a political exile under a religious cloak long engaged in activities aimed at splitting China and he is also the mastermind of a political clique of Tibetan independence activists," he added.
The Dalai Lama had earlier said that he would seek an amendment allowing him to resign his political office when the exiled Tibetan parliament meets next week.
"My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility. It is to benefit Tibetans in the long run. It is not because I feel disheartened," the Dalai Lama had said.
He also said that many of his supporters had asked him not to take the step.
"Since I made my intention clear I have received repeated and earnest requests both from within Tibet and outside, to continue to provide political leadership," the Dalai Lama.
The assembly is expected to approve his request and vote to elect a new 'Kalon Tripa' or Prime Minister who will, depending on the constitutional changes, take on the Dalai Lama's political functions. (ANI)
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