China says Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, cannot legally choose who will succeed him when he dies, and that Beijing will make the decision.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a briefing Monday that the title will be conferred by the central government after the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader dies.

He said traditional practice does not allow for the Dalai Lama to choose his own successor.

In a statement Saturday, the 76-year-old Dalai Lama said he will make a decision when he is about 90 whether the “institution of the Dalai Lama” should continue. He said he will consult with the high lamas of Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public and others before deciding.

But, he said China should have no say in whether he is reincarnated.

His comments appeared in a document issued after a gathering of Tibetan Buddhist leaders in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala.

Tibet's government-in-exile has operated from Dharamsala since 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

China has often accused the Dalai Lama and his followers of advocating Tibetan secession, despite repeated assurances from the Nobel laureate that he is seeking dialogue with China aimed only at establishing Tibetan autonomy.

In July, the Dalai Lama gave up his role as head of the Tibetan government-in-exile when Harvard-trained scholar Lobsang Sangay was sworn in as the new leader.