Buddhists in southwest China's Yunnan Province enjoy full religious freedom, said Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama in a call for followers to be devoted to the religion and country.

The 16-year-old high ranking figure of Tibetan Buddhism praised the economic and social development and the harmonious religious environment of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

He urged local Buddhists to show passion to the nation and the religion, and safeguard the country and benefit the people.

He also called on the Buddhists to make their due contributions to national solidarity and prosperity.

Gyaincain Norbu, anointed as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1995, made the remarks after a ten-day religious tour of Yunnan, which is home to more than 128,000 ethnic Tibetans.

He visited temples in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Deqin County, Lijiang City, and Binchuan County, performing benediction rituals to more than 40,000 followers.

The young Panchen Lama also met local Tibetan Buddhist representatives and government officials, expressing satisfaction over the implementation of the religious policies initiated by the Communist Party of China.

He urged Tibetan Buddhists in the province to carry forward Buddhism and the ethnic cultures.

Born in 1990 in Lhari County of Tibet Autonomous Region, Gyaincain Norbu was approved by the central government of China asthe 11th Panchen Lama after lots were drawn among three candidatesin a lamasery in the regional capital of Lhasa in 1995.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2006)