The 11th Panchen Erdeni Gyaincain Norbu has visited a large-scale exhibition themed "Tibet, the Past and the Present," in Beijing.

After viewing the exhibits, Panchen said that the prosperity in Tibet should be cherished by all means.

"I have been praying for the great advancement of the country and all the ethnic groups. And I firmly believe that Tibet will be more flourishing under the leadership of the Communist Party of China."

The Panchen Lama is the second highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Panchen said that the exhibition shows the backwardness of Old Tibet and the development of New Tibet, as well as the historic link between Tibet and the the rest of China.

He encouraged fellow Tibetans to cherish the hard-earned happy life. He also calls for religious people to uphold patriotism and contribute to the regional stability, development and the national unity.