An official Chinese delegation spoke on Saturday about Panchen Lama´s, right, whereabouts. This is the first time anything has been said – true or untrue – about the second highest religious leader of Tibet since he was kidnapped in 1995. Panchen Lama was then only six years old. He has not been seen since. (18-SEP-06)

This article, written by Chungdak Koren, Chair woman of the Norwegian Tibet Committee, was written and submitted to www.phayul.com today. It has been edited for republication here by HRH / Niels Jacob Harbitz.

A four member strong official Chinese religious delegation is touring these days in Europe to propagate religious and human rights´ freedom in the People´s Republic of China and Tibet. The delegation is visiting Oslo, the capital of Norway, from 15-19 September. In Oslo the delegation is accompanied by two officials from the Chinese Embassy. The delegation members and their designations are the following:

-Mr Tsering Gyalpo (Ciren Jiabu in Chinese)Director of Religious Research Institute of Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences, Lhasa.
-Abbot Khadi Lobsang Champa of Dargye Monastery in Garze County, vice chairman of Sichuan Province Bhuddhist Association
-Ms Wang Yanwen, Council Member of the the People´s Republic of China International Culture Association.
-Ms Sun Jie Interpreter

-There will be a Buddhist talk
The Chinese embassy in Oslo has requested the Buddhist Union of Norway to be their host during the visit to Oslo. One of the delegation´s main program, was a visit and meeting on 16 September at Karma Tashi Ling, Oslo´s Tibetan Buddhist Centre. In advance, the members of the centre were informed that the abbot Khadi Lobsang Champa from the delegation was going to give a Bhuddhist talk at the centre. A few Tibetans and also some Norwegians came to hear the Lamas talk on Buddhism.

-Panchen Lama lives in his birthplace Nagchu, and is doing his studies
However, to the disappointment of the listeners, the talk turned out to be a written statement of the usual Chinese official assertion that everything was perfect in the People´s Republic of China and Tibet and everybody enjoyed religious freedom and freedom of expression. When some of the Tibetans present took a stand against his statement and questioned the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the abbot said “Panchen Lama now lives in Nagchu, which is His birth place and doing his studies”. To make sure he meant the real Phanchen Renpochi, the Tibetans said “We mean Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. The abbot´s response was “ Yes. Yes”.