The 35th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama-appointed Panchen Lama, was commemorated with fervour in Dharamshala, where the Tibetan leadership of the Tibetan Government in exile fervently called for his release from Chinese custody.
Penpa Tsering, Sikyong or President of the Tibetan government in exile, stated, "Chinese government has not heeded to genuine concerns of the international community and Tibetans in exile. Our most pressing concern is if Panchen Rinpoche is alive or not."