BEIJING, Dec 8 (Reuter) - China marked its controversial enthronment of Tibetan Buddhism's 11th Panchen Lama on Friday by conferring a patriotic "golden certificate" on the six-year-old boy.

The document urges young Gyaincain Norbu to "continue the tradition of patriotism" of earlier Panchen Lamas, in effect obliging him to oppose Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who espouses independence from Chinese rule.

China has rejected the Dalai Lama's choice of another boy as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, who died in 1989.

The text of the certificate, as translated and distributed by China's official Xinhua news agency, reads in part:

"The State Council (China's cabinet) hereby confirms that Gyaincain Norbu is recognised, through the drawing of lots from a golden urn, as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, and succeeds as the 11th Panchen Lama.

"The previous Panchen Lamas were all devoted to the country's interests, safeguarding the unification of the country, and the unity of all ethnic groups...

"It is sincerely hoped that the 11th Panchen Lama will continue the tradition of patriotism and devotion to Buddhism and will benefit the public, for the development and progress of Tibet, the well-being and happiness of the people, and the prosperity of the nation."