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Beijing's 'Panchen Lama' stands firm behind CCP

The boy chosen by Beijing as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest figure, met with China's top legislator and expressed support for the Communist Party, state media reported.

Gyaltsen Norbu presented Wu Bangguo (吳邦國) with a long piece of silk as a gift during their meeting on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of China's legislature in the heart of Beijing, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Thursday.

"He vowed to support the [Chinese Communist Party, CCP] leadership and make more contributions to the Tibetan economy and social harmony by guiding more religious work to adapt to China's socialist society," it said.

Wu encouraged Norbu, 17, to "take responsibility to enhance China's reunification and do more things that could benefit the country," the report said.

The exchange took place amid increased sensitivity over China's continued attempts to subvert Tibetan Buddhist culture and strengthen Beijing's hold on the Himalayan region. Rights groups and Tibetan exiles are using the upcoming Beijing Olympics as a platform to support their cause.

Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has said he will skip the Aug. 8 to Aug. 24 Olympic Games in a move being linked to his support of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader who fled to India in 1959 following an abortive uprising against Chinese rule.

Tibetans say their territory was independent when communist troops arrived in 1950 and the Dalai Lama has campaigned for autonomy to protect its culture. Beijing denies that Tibet has ever been independent and accuses the Dalai Lama of splittism.

The Dalai Lama is calling for peaceful protests during the Olympics as a way to remind the Chinese public of government policies the 72-year-old Nobel Peace laureate says are eroding the region's Buddhist culture.

In May 1995, the Dalai Lama chose six-year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama.

The boy and his family disappeared soon after and have not been heard from since. Human rights groups say the boy has been under house arrest since. China claims he is attending school and his identity is being protected.

Months later, Beijing named Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama.
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