How can an officially atheistic government (China) deny the Dali Lama's right to choose his successor?

Since the People's Republic of China has a government agency specifically devoted to investigating and punishing heresy, I don't think they can be considered a secular government.

The agency often called the 610 Office is formally called: the Central Leading Group on Dealing with Heretical Religions.

The PRC only protects religious rights for religions it classifies as "normal." And, the PRC's classification of what is "normal" sounds a lot like how religious people classify every religion that they don't personally like as "a cult, not a religion."

The Dalai (not "Dali") Lama does not live in China. He can do whatever he wants.

Real China is taiwan. The other 'China' used to be called 'Soviet China'. Mainland China's currently occupied by an illegitimate regime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_with_...

China hates religion as much as the atheists on here.

HEY ATHEISTS: you should all move to china!