Li Ruihuan Exchanges Gift With 11th Panchen Lama

China News Digest, 10 February 2002

[CND, 02/10/02] Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, the 11th Panchen Lama, in Beijing on Saturday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The meeting between Li and the 11th Panchen took place just before the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year and the Tibetan New Year, known as the Year of the Iron Snake by the Tibetan calendar.

Li exchanged gifts with the 11th Panchen Lama who just celebrated his 12th birthday. (Dong LIU)