Tibet's Panchen Lama still missing: USA slams China over 1995 kidnapping, tells Beijing to release him

27 years after he was kidnapped by Chinese officials, the Panchen Lama remains missing. After Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama is the second most revered figure in the Tibetan Buddhist society. And he's missing since he was 6 years old. The issue has led to a fresh war of words between USA and China.

On April 25, the 33rd birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, America asked China to reveal his whereabouts and confirm his well-being. Washington asked Beijing to let the Panchen Lama exercises his human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Panchen Lama was abducted by Chinese Communist officials on May 17, 1995.

America's statement led to a sharp reaction from China, which has been trying to stamp out Tibetan nationalism to complete its invasion and occupation of the region. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said, "We firmly oppose the U.S. side's interference in China's internal affairs under the guise of so-called religious freedom with Tibet-related issues. The Chinese government pursues a policy of freedom of religious belief, which of course includes respecting and protecting the reincarnation of living Buddhas as an institution of inheritance in Tibetan Buddhism."

Wenbin added, "This so-called reincarnated child of Panchen Lama is just an ordinary Chinese citizen who is currently leading a normal life. He and his family do not want their current normal life to be disturbed. The U.S. should fully understand and respect their wills, instead of engaging in political manipulation on the matter to attack and smear China."

Also Watch| After China interferes in J&K, Tibetans ask India to raise their cause during Wang Yi's Delhi trip