China’s Xi meets Panchen Lama, urges continued ‘sinicisation of religion’

Call comes a month before Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, when the Tibetan spiritual leader may reveal ideal method for choosing a successor

According to state news agency Xinhua, Xi received a visit from the Panchen Lama in Beijing and expressed hopes that he would “work hard to become a Tibetan living Buddha with profound knowledge of Buddhism, beloved by monks and lay followers, and take the lead in obeying the law and adhering to the precepts”.

The Panchen Lama is the second-highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, after the Dalai Lama.

Tibetans in exile march in solidarity with Dalai Lama in India

China’s Xi meets Panchen Lama, urges continued ‘sinicisation of religion’

Related reading

China's Xi touts unity and development in surprise Tibet visit

China’s Xi pushes development, ethnic unity in rare visit to Tibet

Tibetans face up to uncertain future as Dalai Lama turns 90

Chinese government has ‘final say’ in Dalai Lama reincarnation, Tibetan…

As the Dalai Lama Turns 90, His Exiled Nation Faces a Moment of Truth

Dalai Lama to issue July 2 message, expected to address succession