Even as the Dalai Lama has called for a ‘middle way’ approach, the Communist Party of China (CPC) cannot come to terms with the idea of co-existing with Tibetans as its totalitarian ethno-nationalist state has no room for a non-Han group or leader — and certainly not for someone like the Dalai Lama whom his followers revere like a god.

As the 14th Dalai Lama turns 90, the world pauses to honour a life of resilience, spirituality and non-violent resistance. From a child born in remote Taktser to the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness has been at the heart of one of the world's most enduring cultural and political struggles.

By Laurie Chen and Krishna N. Das BEIJING/DHARAMSHALA, India (Reuters) -Weeks before the Dalai Lama ruled out China's role in choosing his successor, President Xi Jinping met a Tibetan Buddhist monk installed three decades ago by Beijing as the faith's No.