Mandarin/English Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama has accused China of holding "the world's youngest political prisoner" in the dispute over the appointment of a senior Buddhist monk. A six-year-old boy was chosen by the Dalai Lama to become Panchen Lama - Buddhism's second highest position - but the boy has not been seen since July and is believed to be under guard in Beijing. The Chinese government installed another boy as Panchen Lama. In an interview with APTV the Dalai Lama said he feared for the safety of the boy, and offered to negotiate with China to achieve limited autonomy for Tibet. The monastery at Dharmsala in northern India and home of Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama - just returned from several weeks of meditation in solitude. The peace and tranquillity of the streets belies the storm that is raging between Beijing and this citadel of Tibetan Buddhism. The latest conflict began last May when the Dalai Lama named the son of a nomadic herdsman, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama who died in 1989. Tibetans believe their spiritual leaders can choose how they are reborn and can be identified through clues, visions and Buddhist rituals. The Dalai Lama says he fears for the safety of the boy who is in Beijing and who has not been seen since July. SOUNDBITE: English According to present circumstances it's very possible to harm the young boy. The young boy may already have become a kind of political prisoner. I think he may be the youngest political prisoner. I really feel concerned about his safety. SUPER CAPTION: Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has sought an agreement with China that would give Tibetans control over their daily lives and preserve their unique culture, in exchange for relinquishing their historical claim to independence which the Chinese dispute. However he feels the Chinese are trying to make a political point with the appointment of their own Panchen Lama installed this month at a ceremony in Tibet. SOUNDBITE: But at the moment the institution, particularly the Dalai Lama, is something of a symbol, important symbol for the Tibetan nation. That's why unfortunately the Chinese government is manipulating the institution. The Panchen Lama institution, under the present set of circumstances, they see it as being politically important. SUPER CAPTION: Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet. But the view from Beijing has not been conciliatory. The Chinese have their own Buddhist community and they say the Dalai Lama no longer represents the Tibetan people. SOUNDBITE: Cantonese The Dalai lama is........no, used to be the leader of Tibetan Buddhism. However now he is abroad and has been doing something which is not in the interests of the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism. SUPER CAPTION: Master Jing Hui, Vice Chairman of China Buddhist Association. Although the Dalai Lama hopes there can be some sort of reconciliation with Beijing, the authorities here seem to be unmoved in their opposition to him. SOUNDBITE: Cantonese Since the Dalai Lama has taken an opposite way, he has now lost the qualification as the leader of Chinese Tibetan Buddhism. SUPER CAPTION: Master Jing Hui, Vice Chairman of China Buddhist Association. There have been reports of demonstrations over this latest incident in Tibet, but the Dalai Lama urged his followers to keep calm. When told of Jing Hui's view that he no longer represented the Tibetan people, his response was lighthearted. SOUNDBITE: He faithfully carries the instructions.............very good. (laughs). SUPER CAPTION: Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/5f8c982b6b84b99445296df0f9819606 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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