The Religious Bureau of China recently issued a Regulation on the Reincarnation of Buddha. Here is a digest of it.

Article 4. A Buddha can not reincarnate when any of the following conditions is met: …

(2) the local city government does not permit such reincarnation.

and

Article 10.  Before a candidate assumes Buddha’s position, an official from the government agency that issues reincarnation permissions shall read the permission, and  the candidate shall obtain a certificate issued by the Buddhism Association of an appropriate level.

The certificate shall be made in accordance with a national standard by the Buddhism Association of the national level. All issued certificates shall be registered in the Religious Bureau of China.