The clash is a long time in the making with the Dalai Lama insisting the Chinese government will have absolutely no say in the selection.

The Dalai Lama officially announced his succession plans as the Tibetan spiritual leader turned 90 on Sunday. He said his non-profit foundation will be the only legitimate body to recognize a successor,

Thousands of people gathered in India’s Dharamshala on Sunday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama – a key milestone in the life of the spiritual leader and Nobel Peace laureate known for his message of compassion and his quest for greater freedoms for Tibet under Beijing’s rule.

His followers see him as the face of Tibet’s aspirations for greater autonomy, but have for years wrestled with the idea that he might be the last person to hold the role. He put that speculation to rest Wednesday,

The Dalai Lama says he hopes to live until he is over 130 years old, a remark he made during a ceremony organized by his followers to offer prayers for his long life as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday.