Beijing selected Gyaincain Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama back in 1995. Photo: Handout
Will China’s ‘official’ Panchen Lama, now 30, take a bigger role in Tibet?
- Beijing selected Gyaincain Norbu in 1995 to be the second-highest figure in the spiritual hierarchy, rejecting the boy identified by the Dalai Lama
- He’s a member of a top Communist Party advisory body but a Chinese government adviser says he is unlikely to have much political influence
Beijing selected Gyaincain Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama back in 1995. Photo: Handout