A senior political adviser urged the Dalai Lama on Wednesday to have a serious discussion with the Chinese government about his future.

The official said the Dalai Lama's reincarnation has to be endorsed by the Chinese authorities rather than by himself.

Last year, the Dalai Lama, who will turn 80 in July, said he does not want to have a successor and that the Tibetan Buddhism tradition of reincarnation should cease with his death.