The 11th Panchen Lama has made his debut as a political advisor, at this year's session of the CPPCC. The 20-year-old is the youngest member of the advisory body.

The 11th Panchen Lama

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, is one of the two most senior living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. He became a CPPCC member on February the 28th of this year. Earlier in the month, he was elected vice president of the Buddhist Association of China. He made his first public speech at the ongoing annual session of the CPPCC.

Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, The 11th Panchen Lama, said, "The people have great expectations for CPPCC members, so we should make great efforts to reflect the people's wishes. All religions aim at bringing a better spiritual life and guiding people to perform good deeds, thus benefiting both the country and its people"