The Dalai Lama, the 89-year-old Buddhist leader who has for decades galvanized global support for the Tibetan movement, laid out plans on how his successor will be chosen, a process that is expected to face interference from China.

The Dalai Lama has become one of the world’s most recognizable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China’s control of Tibet. He has not named a successor, but he says they will be born in the “free world” — outside China.

The Dalai Lama has previously said that he would discuss the future religious leadership of the Tibetan Buddhists on his 90th birthday, which falls on July 6. China, India, and the United States will be watching.