The United States has called on China to release the Panchen Lama, a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism, who disappeared at the age of six, marking 31 years since his disappearance. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that Chinese authorities took Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family days after the Dalai Lama identified him as a future Tibetan Buddhist leader. The US criticized Beijing’s policies in Tibet and its control over Tibetan religious affairs, urging China to release Nyima and his family immediately.
The US emphasized its support for the religious and cultural rights of Tibetans, advocating for their freedom to preserve their unique identity. The State Department stressed that Tibetan Buddhists should be able to choose their spiritual leaders, such as the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, without interference from the Chinese Communist Party. The Panchen Lama holds a significant spiritual position in Tibetan Buddhism, ranking second only to the Dalai Lama.
China has historically maintained strict control over Tibet and Tibetan Buddhist institutions. In 1995, Beijing rejected the Dalai Lama’s recognition of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and appointed Gyaincain Norbu as the state-backed Panchen Lama instead.
