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BEIJING - THE boy chosen by Beijing as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest figure, met with China's top legislator in a rare public appearance and expressed support for the Communist Party, state media reported.
Gyaltsen Norbu presented Mr Wu Bangguo 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 Thursday.
'He vowed to support the (Communist Party of China's) leadership and make more contributions to the Tibetan economy and social harmony by guiding more religious work to adapt to China's socialist society,' Xinhua said.
Mr 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 what critics say are 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 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.
Many 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 says Tibet has been part of China for centuries and accuses the Dalai Lama of agitating for independence.
According to pro-Tibetan groups, the Dalai Lama supports 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 traditional Buddhist culture.
In May 1995, the Dalai Lama chose 6-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, a claim China denies although officials refuse to say where he is.
Months later, Beijing named Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama.
Officials have said Nyima and his family are being kept in a secret location for their protection. -- AP
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