Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po in Beijing on Feb 13.

Shi extended Spring Festival and Tibetan New Year greetings to Panchen Rinpoche and all followers of Tibetan Buddhism. He acknowledged the achievements made by Panchen Rinpoche over the past year, and said he hoped that Panchen Rinpoche will further enhance political literacy, knowledge levels and Buddhist attainments, solidify political conviction, and  closely follow the CPC Central Committee in thinking, political stance, and action.

He also encouraged Panchen Rinpoche to consciously foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, actively participate in the building of a community for the Chinese nation, and play an active role in developing religions in the Chinese context and the law-based governance of religious affairs.

Panchen Rinpoche said he would inherit and carry forward the patriotic and religious tradition of the Tibetan Buddhist community, and always be a patriot who resolutely safeguards the unification of the motherland and ethnic unity and upholds the leadership of the CPC.