Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1241 gmt 14 Mar 96

Beijing, 14th March: A ceremony was held in Beijing on Wednesday [13th March] to mark the 80th birthday of Soinam Zholma, mother of the late 10th Panchen Lama.

Soinam Zholma, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was in the capital to attend the fourth plenary session of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee which closed yesterday. Liu Yandong, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), presented Soinam Zholma with a basket of flowers, and wished her good health and long life.

Soinam Zholma, who is also vice-chairperson of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPPCC, thanked the Chinese Communist Party and the government for always taking good care of her. "The 10th Panchen Lama was not only a leader of Tibetan Buddism, but also a sincere friend of the CCP, and a patriot upholding China's reunification cause and firmly opposing splittism," she said.

The soul boy of the late 10th Panchen Lama has been enthroned following the drawing of lots from a gold urn, and State Council approval. She added that she had paid respect to the 11th Panchen Lama a few days ago. She expressed the hope that the new Panchen Lama will carry forward the behests of the late Panchen Lama, study Buddhist scriptures diligently, love the motherland, be devoted to the religion and contribute to unity among various ethnic groups and China's reunification.