Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po on Friday in Beijing, encouraging him to promote ethnic unity and religious harmony in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.
During their meeting at Zhongnanhai, Xi praised Panchen Rinpoche for his progress in religious studies and social activities. Panchen Rinpoche presented Xi with a traditional Tibetan hada scarf, symbolizing purity and goodwill.
Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged Panchen Rinpoche to continue the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in loving the country. He called on him to safeguard national unity and contribute to the development and modernization of Xizang.
Panchen Rinpoche expressed his commitment to uphold the leadership of the CPC and to promote ethnic solidarity. He vowed to enhance the Chinese orientation of religions in China and to support the region’s modernization efforts.
Accompanying Xi during the visit were Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Both are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
