At a touching ceremony in Beijing yesterday China's President and communist party leader, Jiang Zemin, sat opposite the Chinese endorsed" official reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu (6), and said
"The Communist Party and government hope the 11th Panchen Lama will study well," grow up healthy and inherit the patriotic spirit of previous Panchen Lamas."
The reply Gyaltsen, in padded silk robe and sheepskin boots rose to the occasion. To his 69 year old well wisher he said.
"Thank you to the party and to President Jiang."
"I will study hard and be a patriotic Living Buddha who loves religion" he added. Then Jiang urged the lad, who will be responsible for the spiritual well being of Tibet's Buddhists, "to love socialism" but offered no advice on how to reconcile the two tasks. However Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has recognised Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, another six year old boy as the Panchen Lama's reincarnation. He announced his choice in May last year.
Gedhun has not been seen since then. Some say he is detained in Beijing.
But The Chinese government called the choice "illegal and invalid", stating that the naming of both Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama must be approved by Beijing.
China claims the right under a 1792 agreement between the Qing dynasty and Tibet.
Background China asserted its rule in Tibet after 1949. Sent troops to install socialism and eradicate "feudalism".
China suppressed an uprising in Tibet in 1959. Thousands fled into exile, including the Dalai Lama.
The 10th Panchen Lama remained behind, initially cooperating with the Chinese, although he later maintained that the bad points of Chinese rule outweighed the good. He died in 1989.
Last word Goes to the Dalai Lama The search and recognition of Panchen Lama's reincarnation is a religious matter," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said. "My recognition of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation cannot be changed."