The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, appears concerned that Beijing will sweep in after his death to install the next Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama, who had earlier said he would release details about his succession around his 90th birthday, told a gathering on Monday that "there will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas". He did not elaborate.