The Foreign Ministry refuted on Wednesday the 14th Dalai Lama's claim that his office will "search and recognize a successor", saying that reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must follow religious rituals and historical conventions and comply with Chinese laws and regulations.

The 14th Dalai Lama also said that "no-one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter".

The reincarnation should follow the process that consists of searches within the Chinese territory, the drawing of lots from a golden urn, and approval by the central government, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the ministry, told a daily news conference.

The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, and issued Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas to protect the tradition of reincarnation of living Buddhas in accordance with the law, Mao said.

The spokeswoman stressed that the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation is not to restrict religion.

For any religion to grow and prosper, it has to adapt itself to the social environment and cultural tradition of the country, she said.

Tibetan Buddhism originated in China and embodies Chinese characteristics, she said, adding that it is an example of religion adapting to Chinese culture.