Intriguing developments centred on the Himalayan redoubt of Tibet

There are signs that Gyaltsen Norbu, who was enthroned as the XIth Panchen Lama by China, is possibly not measuring up to the Chinese leadership’s requirements.

China has long sought to undermine the XIVth Dalai Lama’s influence among Tibetans and with the demise of the Xth Panchen Lama, perceived an opportunity to appoint a Panchen Lama and eventually take over the leadership of Tibetan Buddhists. It incarcerated the Xth Panchen Lama’s reincarnation selected by the XIVth Dalai Lama and in 1995 replaced him with Gyaltsen Norbu, who it subsequently enthroned as the XIth Panchen Lama.

Since then Gyaltsen Norbu has been taught religious texts and sent on tours to Tibet to give religious teachings and be accepted by the Tibetan people as the rightful Panchen Lama. Tibetans, however, regard him as a “learned monk” but are yet unwilling to accept him as the Panchen Lama.

China has also since 2006 sought to introduce Gyaltsen Norbu to the world community of Buddhists as the XIth Panchen Lama at the World Buddhist Forums organized by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee (CC)’s United Front Work Department (UFWD). Beijing has additionally attempted to bring Gyaltsen Norbu to the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini in Nepal as part of efforts to “legitimise” him and introduce him to Tibetan Buddhists in the Indo-Himalayan belt. Two determined efforts have thus far failed.

You Might Be Interested In

But of late there are signs that Gyaltsen Norbu is possibly not measuring up to the Chinese leadership’s requirements. When Politburo Standing Committee member and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning stayed behind after Xi Jinping’s visit to Tibet and visited Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse on August 23, 2025, the official media did not mention the Panchen Lama as among those who received him. Tashilhunpo is the traditional “seat” and monastery of the Panchen Lama. The Party Secretaries of Shanghai and Sichuan have also separately advised Gyaltsen Norbu to study harder, work diligently to adapt Tibetan Buddhism to socialism with Chinese characteristics, and promote ethnic unity among Tibetans and Han Chinese.