Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States
Mr. Li Zhaoxing
2300 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D C 20008



Dear Mr. Li Zhaoxing,

In 1995, a religious delegation sponsored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama named 6-year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. The selection of the Panchen Lama, who is the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, was an important event to Tibetans and Chinese alike. It is therefore shocking that on May 17, 1995, the Chinese government, in disagreement with the selection, abducted Gendun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and the monks who had selected him.

Although the official premise for the abductions was to protect His Holiness the Panchen Lama from the Tibetans, there has been no accounting of his health or of the conditions of those similarly detained. For several years, the international community has not even been allowed to know if His Holiness was still alive. International inquiries into the matter have been met with conflicting stories over his location and detention status.

I must express my outrage over the fact that the Chinese government has detained a small child for partaking in his own religion and has denied him of his religious birthright. Because Gendun Choekyi Nyima turned nine last April, the People's Republic of China is guilty of holding the world's youngest political prisoner. This development is unconscionable, and should not be tolerated by anyone, be they American, Tibetan, or Chinese.

I must demand that the government of the People's Republic of China immediately and safely release Gendun Choekyi Nyima, his family, and those who played a part in selecting the Panchen Lama.

I thank you for your time, and I urge you to realize that the world is watching.

Sincerely,