China-backed Panchen Lama visits monasteries in Tibet

The Panchen Lama, being groomed by China to take over as Tibet's top spiritual leader, today visited a number of monasteries in the restive Himalayan region and met local political leaders.
The Panchen Lama, also called Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, who is mostly based in Beijing concluded his religious duties in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region today, officials said.
The Panchen Lama is regarded as the second most important religious head of Buddhism in Tibet after the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India.
He visited monasteries in Jokhang and Sera, where he performed rituals, including sutra interpretations and blessings.

A member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, the Panchen Lama also met CPPCC members in the regional capital Lhasa.
"As CPPCC members, we should work together on national development and people's interests in Tibet," the 24-year-old Lama who is also the member of CPPCC was quoted by state-run Xinhua news agency as saying.

The Panchen Lama began his Lhasa visit on Tuesday.
These visits have become an annual event in recent years.
He is also vice president of the Buddhist Association of China.