Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is approaching his 90th birthday and has announced a succession plan that may not sit well with China. The Chinese government has its own plan in place for selecting the next Dalai Lama.
Despite his advanced age, the Dalai Lama appears to be in remarkably good health and continues to engage in public activities. He spends about an hour each week greeting devotees and offering advice, a ritual he repeats five times a day.
Meanwhile, China is experiencing rapid economic growth, which has led to a surge in its engineering workforce. The country’s high-tech industries are also expanding, with many cities struggling to cope with the influx of people from poorer areas.
However, not all is well in China. A recent development highlights concerns over smog and pollution, while the country’s involvement in Russia’s war efforts has raised eyebrows. Additionally, in China, it is often difficult for patients to receive information about their terminal illnesses due to a lack of transparency.
Source: https://www.economist.com/china/2025/06/26/the-dalai-lama-faces-a-horrible-dilemma