The officials included Liu Yandong, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Guo Jinlong, secretary of the regional CPC committee, and Raidi, deputy regional party secretary and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Regional People's Congress.

The Bainqen's religious activities were a great event for Tibetan Buddhist monks and believers, and symbolized the Party's policy of religious freedom, Liu said in a meeting with the Tibetan religious leader.

"We are very happy to see that the 11th Bainqen has been growing healthily under the direct care of the central leadership and the efforts of different departments," he said.

She advised the Bainqen to bear in mind President Jiang Zemin's instruction to "love the nation, love the religion, and be united and progressive".

The Bainqen informed the officials of his religious activities and visits to Shigaze and to rural families.

"The changes in the present-day Tibet have made me more confident of the wise leadership of the Party Central Committee," he said.

The religious leader said he hoped China would be more prosperous and the future of Tibet even better.

(People's Daily June 29, 2002)