Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo paid a courtesy call on the 11th Panchen Lama in his capacity as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee and the Vice Chairman of the China Buddhist Association on 14 September 2010.
Minister Yeo, who is in Beijing on a working visit, thanked the Panchen Lama for the hospitality extended by his representatives to Minister Yeo during his visit in August 2009 to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet, which is the seat of the Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama was at that time not available to receive Minister Yeo at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. During their meeting, Minister Yeo also updated the Panchen Lama on the state of Singapore-China religious exchanges and invited him to visit Singapore in his official capacity.
The Singapore Buddhist Federation members who accompanied Minister Yeo to the meeting also invited the Panchen Lama to visit Singapore and meet members of the Singapore Buddhist community at a time of his convenience. The Panchen Lama also sent his blessings to the Buddhist community in Singapore.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 SEPTEMBER 2010