China seeks help of top Tibetan monk
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday sought the help of Panchen Lama to quell rising anti-China sentiments among the Tibetans, asking the pro-Beijing top Buddhist monk to play a bigger role in maintaining national unity, even as two Tibetan protesters were reportedly killed.
Wen met the 21-year-old Panchen, the second ranking Tibetan religious leader after the Dalai Lama amid calls by Chinese authorities to prepare for “a war against secessionist sabotage” by Dalai Lama.
“We hope you can guide the monks and the (Tibetan) people to love the country, uphold the law and follow Buddhist practice... you should play an important and active role in safeguarding national and ethnic unity,” he told the Panchen.
Wen held a high profile reception Tibetan New Year reception to Panchen, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu regarded as China’s choice to succeed Dalai Lama here and pledged that in the future the regional ethnic autonomy will continue.
