Taipei, Taiwan (AP) – A man designated by Beijing as the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism has met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as reported by state media, in a rare in-person encounter where the ruling Communist Party made an announcement on Friday.
Gyaltsen Norbu, who is infrequently seen in public, had a closed-door meeting with Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai, the government compound in central Beijing.
The 35-year-old Gyaltsen Norbu stated that he “supports the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party and staunchly defends the unity of the nation and its people.”
The Chinese government appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism in 1995, when he was just five years old. Meanwhile, followers of the Dalai Lama recognized another boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the actual reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.
Following the US government’s assertions, the boy and his family vanished in 1995, amid claims of Chinese government intervention. The Dalai Lama, now 89, has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama.
The Chinese government asserts that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is a university graduate who now leads a private life with a stable job.
The state-appointed Panchen Lama, quoted by Xinhua on Friday, stated his intention to “contribute to enhancing national unity and progress, effectively promote the Chinese religious agenda, and advance the modernization of Tibet.”
Under Xi’s regime, the term “sinicization” has come to signify that all religions, including Christianity and Islam, must align with the Communist Party, minimize non-Chinese elements, and restrict their societal roles.
Xi reportedly told the Chinese government’s Panchen Lama that Tibetan Buddhism should “systematically cultivate a strong sense of community toward the Chinese state, encourage the sinicization of religion in China, and promote Tibet’s modernization.”
Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement marking the 30th anniversary of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s disappearance, condemning the Chinese government’s actions against him and his family.
“Chinese authorities must immediately release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and cease persecuting Tibetans for their religious beliefs,” Rubio’s statement asserted.
The position of the Panchen Lama is notably critical, as it is expected that the Panchen Lama will play a role in recognizing the new Dalai Lama and serving as his mentor.
During the meeting on Friday, Xi emphasized the need for economic and political stability within China’s borders, amid rising concerns of an economic downturn and potential anti-government unrest as well as persistent repression of minority groups.
China claims that Tibet has been part of its territory for centuries, while many Tibetans maintain that they have effectively been independent for a significant period, asserting that Beijing is currently attempting to undermine their human rights, language, and Buddhist culture.
The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed uprising against the Chinese military in 1959 and has been labeled a separatist by Beijing. The government has denied him the traditional right to recognize the reincarnation of the Lama.
Source: apnews.com