Dalai Lama-picked Panchen Lama not valid: China

BEIJING - The Panchen Lama selected by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was “invalid”, an official said here Sunday.

The Panchen Lama is a senior Tibetan spiritual leader.

Padma Choling, chairman of the Tibet autonomous regional government, said the Panchen Lama picked by the Dalai Lama was not valid and added that he was living a good life as an ordinary citizen in Tibet.

He said there was no need now to discuss the issues related to the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress, Padma called the Dalai Lama the mastermind of a separatist group and “the very source of instability of Tibet”.

“The Dalai’s lies to the world and media have adversely affected Tibet’s development,” Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

He said the 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, who was selected by Beijing, was “deeply loved” and supported by people of all ethnic groups in Tibet.

“The selection of the 11th Panchen Lama was approved by the central government through lot-drawing in 1995 in strict accordance with religious rituals and historical conventions in Tibetan Buddhism.

“The reincarnation cannot be decided by certain individuals, it must follow strict religious rituals,” he said.

The Dalai Lama has lived since 1959 in India, which is also home to some 100,000 Tibetan exiles. The Dalai Lama’s government-in-exile, which is not recognised by any country, is based in the Indian hill town Dharamsala.