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Panchen Lama Said to Be in Tibet

Source: RFA,8 March,2010

Panchen Lama
Panchen Lama

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Tibet's Governor says Panchen Lama and family lead ordinary lives.

Tibet’s governor said Sunday that the Panchen Lama, who has been missing since he was selected by the Dalai Lama as Tibet’s second-highest religious figure in 1995, is living with his family in Tibet.

"As far as I know, his family and he are now living a very good life in Tibet. He and his family are reluctant to be disturbed, they want to live an ordinary life," Chinese-appointed Governor Padma Choling said, but did not specify where in Tibet they are living.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Choling also said that the Panchen Lama’s siblings were studying at university or working in regular jobs.

In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized Gendun Choekyi Nyima, now 20, as the reincarnate Panchen Lama. Chinese authorities declared the selection “illegal and invalid” and detained him and his family, who have not been heard from since. He is widely believed to be under a form of house arrest.

Chinese authorities installed in his place a rival candidate of their own choosing, Gyaltsen Norbu, also 20. The legitimacy of the Chinese-selected candidate is widely rejected by Tibetans.

Getting close to 2008 unrest anniversary

Choling also blamed the Dalai Lama for unrest in Tibet and said that only socialism can save Tibet.

"The main source of instability in Tibet is the Dalai Lama, and it is also he who causes trouble for Tibet's economic development and socio-economic progress," he said. "But I have to say, we are not the least bit scared ... as all the peoples of Tibet have already clearly realized that only the Chinese Communist Party and socialism can save Tibet, and only then can Tibet develop," he said.

His remarks come close to the two-year anniversary of violence that broke out in Tibet on March 14 of last year.

Much of Tibet has been under tight security since a peaceful demonstration by monks in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, was suppressed, leading to a riot that left at least 22 dead according to Chinese authorities. Widespread protests erupted in three neighboring provinces, prompting Beijing to dramatically increase its troop presence in the region.

The Tibetan government-in-exile in India says about 220 Tibetans died and nearly 7,000 were detained in the subsequent region-wide crackdown.

Written in English by Rachel Vandenbrink. Reporting by RFA’s Tibetan service. Tibetan service director: Jigme Ngapo.

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