31 January 2008
Gyaltsen Norbu makes rare public appearance
(Xinhua) Gyaltsen Norbu (Chin.: Gyaincain Norbu), the boy chosen by the Chinese authorities for the position of 11 Panchen Lama, paid a formal visit to Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC). The visit took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, apparently in connection with the forthcoming celebrations of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) and the first session of the 9th Tibet Regional People's Congress. Wu is said to have called on Gyaltsen Norbu to "further study policies made in the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)" in October 2007, probably referring to criticism of the Dalai Lama for receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal and appeals for "social harmony" in Tibet. Wu also encouraged Gyaltsen Norbu to "take responsibility to enhance China's reunification" and urged him to "constantly improve Buddhism's accomplishments and seriously follow Buddhist taboos". Gyaltsen Norbu is quoted as confirming he would have "gained in-depth understanding of the CPC's pursuit of interest for the common people" at the 17th CPC National Congress which he attended as a non-voting delegate and vowing support to the Party's leadership as well as "make more contributions to the Tibetan economy and social harmony by guiding more religious work to adapt to China's socialist society".