China's top political advisor meets Panchen Lama

BEIJING - China's top political advisor on Friday met the 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, a spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, heard a report by the Panchen Lama on his life and work since he was enthroned in 1995.

The 11th Panchen Lama told Yu that he will carry forward his predecessors' long-upheld tradition of patriotism and love of the religion, and stick to his duties of serving believers. He said he will live up to the expectations of the country.

Yu, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, praised and congratulated the Panchen Lama on his marked progress in Buddhist research and cultural and ethic aspects. He noted that his guest has behaved in a good style as a Living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Panchen Lama, who turned 23 in February, was elected as a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee last month.