On May 26, 2017, China reacted to the Dalai Lama's remark that his incarnation cannot be born in a place where "there is no freedom". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said "The title of Dalai Lama is given by the central government. There are fixed set of religious rituals and processes and these cannot be changed by one individual. As for the reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama reincarnation is concerned, the competent departments of the government have talked about itand have also issued a white paper. The 14th Dalai Lama is also clear about this". Lu Kang added that "The 14th Dalai Lama was also enthroned under the representatives of the Republic of China at that time."