"I have had quite a number of contacts with the 10th Panchen Lama," said the President, who once served as Party chief in the Tibet Autonomous Region. "I was even with the 10th Panchen Lama when he passed away.

    "By telling you this, I hope you will follow the example of His Holiness to be another model of loving the country and the religion," Hu said.

    The mainly reclusive 11th Panchen Lama, although just 14, looksgrown up. He spoke with ease on his recent study progress at religious and academic lessons for around 10 minutes without a script. He is studying middle-school lessons with his personal tutors.

    Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, whose religious name is Jizun Losang Qamba Lhunzhub Qoigyijabu Baisangbu, was born on the 19th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Calendar Year (Feb. 13, 1990) in Lhari County in northern Tibet.

    He was confirmed and approved by the State Council as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama on Nov. 29, 1995 after drawing lots from a golden urn according to tradition. In 1996, hewas installed to the seat of Panchen Lama.

    During the conversation, President Hu said he was very pleased to see the progress the 11th Panchen Lama has made in his studies.He also encouraged the young Lama to practice self-training and tangible cultivation, to be a monk of sterling integrity, to love his followers and care about the secular world.

    Hu expressed the hope that the 11th Panchen Lama continues his efforts in religious and academic studies to better serve society and win respect from the religious community.

    This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Central Government will further strengthen its assistance and support for the development of the region, the President said, adding that he believes Tibetan peoplewill have better living conditions with the support from the rest of the whole country. Enditem