Published by World Tibet Network News - Saturday, 2 December 1995

DHARAMSALA, 1 Dec. 1995 - With China's announcement of a rival Panchen Lama, there is deep concern about the fate and well-being of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the six-year-old boy recognized May last by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the authentic Panchen Lama. He has not been seen or heard about since May.

Tibetan concern for the fate of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is not allayed by the contradictory reports that are being issued by the Chinese leadership about the whereabouts of the boy and the strident denunciation he and his immediate family members are subjected to by the Chinese official establishment.

Yesterday in Beijing at a press briefing, after much pressing from the foreign reporters gathered at the briefing about the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima "should be where he was born."

However, a spokesperson for the Chinese Buddhist Association simply said that the boy "was living."

Tibetans' concern for the safety of the Panchen Lama is heightened by China's shrill denounciation of the boy, who was accused by a recent Chinese official statement as having "drowned a dog," and his family for being "deceitful, and notorious for speculation."

A resolution passed by the Australian Senate yesterday expressed its "dismay that China's actions represents a further erosion of the international principles of freedom and religion;" and supports "the candidate recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as being the only legitimate Panchen Lama," and urged China to "respect the wishes of the Tibetan people by supporting the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama."