It is very clear, especially after the Kalachakra initiation in China that the Panchen Lama is being pushed forward to replace the Dalai Lama in Tibet (China), especially when this lama is loyal to the Chinese party and state, as opposed to the Dalai Lama who is unfortunately known as a “wolf in monk’s clothing” whom the Chinese see as a splitist trying to split Tibet from the motherland.
Whether or not ordinary Tibetans will accept the Panchen Lama's credential of being the true incarnation of the previous Panchen, China will maintain him in his position by simple coercion and state power and the majority of Tibetans will have no say about this.
It seems that this news is now being publicised everywhere, Times of India, Channel News Asia, The Globe and Mail in Canada, and UK's Daily Mail. This is definitely bad press for the Dalai Lama and the CTA. This is similar to the incident of sexist remark to the BBC about the Dalai Lama's successor whom the Dalai Lama said must be very attractive, “Otherwise, not much use".