China denounces Dalai Lama’s Grammy victory as political manipulation

A recent Grammy award handed to the Dalai Lama has produced a sharp official rebuke from Beijing, which framed the accolade as an instrument being used against China. The recognition, in the spoken-word/audiobook category, was accepted on the Dalai Lama’s behalf and has been presented by his supporters as a cultural acknowledgement rather than a political statement. Beijing responded through formal channels, asserting that cultural prizes should not be exploited to interfere in China’s internal affairs and pointing to long-standing disagreements over the Dalai Lama’s political status. The Tibetan leader, who has lived in exile in India for decades, issued a restrained message of thanks and framed the award as reflecting shared human responsibilities rather than personal acclaim. The ceremony and subsequent coverage reignited sensitive issues around succession, sovereignty and Beijing’s insistence that any future religious leadership in Tibet must conform to Chinese law and oversight. For Tibetans in exile the award prompted renewed anxiety that Beijing may intensify attempts to shape Tibetan institutions and symbols of authority. For the international cultural community the episode raises questions about where artistic recognition ends and geopolitical signaling begins. Diplomatically, the incident is unlikely to change formal positions but it is poised to amplify rhetoric on both sides and to be cited in future cultural and political exchanges. The Recording Academy’s decision to honour the audiobook has exposed artists and institutions to the complexities of engaging with contested national narratives. In short, a prize intended to celebrate a recorded work has been reframed by state actors as a political gesture, illustrating how cultural platforms can become arenas for diplomatic contestation.