Thousands of followers from around the world, including celebrities and officials from the United States and India, will attend the birthday celebrations in Dharamshala.

The Chinese Embassy in India on Sunday said the Dalai Lama has no authority to decide whether the Tibetan reincarnation system will continue. This came after an Indian minister stated that only the Dalai Lama and his organisation can choose his successor.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, turned 90 on Sunday after a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.