Chinese Panchen decorated with another official title

(TibetanReview.net, Mar03, 2010) After making him a Vice Chairman of the government-run China Buddhism Association at the conclusion in early Feb’10 of its 8th national congress, China has now made Gyaltsen Norbu a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The CPPCC’s supposed role is to advice the National People’s Congress, the Chinese parliament, which is itself, however, a mere rubberstamp body.

The Chinese government-imposed 11th Panchen Lama was among 13 people approved as new members Mar 1 by the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee.

The annual session of the CPPCC begins on Mar 3.

The Chinese Panchen, who is not yet 20, lives in Beijing, rather than the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse, Tibet, obviously because the Tibetan public do not accept him.

Gedhun Choekyi Nima, the 11th Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama, was kidnapped by the Chinese government on May 17, 1995 with his family and has not been seen or heard from ever since. The vast majority of Tibetans accept him as the real Panchen Lama. China claims he is in their protective custody without explaining why.

The Chinese move to elevate Gyaltsen Norbu’s political status is seen as being designed to counter the Dalai Lama globally. However, the fact that the youngster owes his status entirely to the Chinese government which controls him like a puppet is bound to prove a major handicap in this effort.

The CPPC is made up of some 2,200 wealthy businessmen, sports celebrities, academics, religious figures and prominent members of China’s ethnic minorities who all submit their allegiance to the Communist Party of China. Appointment to the CPPCC is also cynically viewed as a reward for retired officials. The 13 newly appointed members include Li Changjiang, the former head of China’s food safety administration who was forced to resign over the scandal involving melamine-contaminated milk, noted The New York Times Online Mar 1.