http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-30510018

"Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest figure is the Panchen Lama - a figure who is meant to play a key role in the choice of the next Dalai Lama.

A young boy was named as Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama in 1995, but China rejected this and chose its own candidate. The whereabouts of the Dalai Lama's choice are unknown."

About as ridiculous as our monarchy set up, or maybe more so. What a dreadful thing to do to a child.