11th Panchen Lama becomes CPPCC member

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was among 13 people who on Sunday became new members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body.

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu (front R) attends the 8th  National Congress of the China Buddhism Association in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 1, 2010. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao]

Their memberships were approved by a meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, which closed on Sunday.

The three-day meeting also appointed Qian Yunlu as secretary-general for the third session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee and 21 others as vice secretary-generals.

The annual session will begin on March 3.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said efforts should be concentrated to make the upcoming session a successful one.

In a speech to close Sunday's meeting, Jia said the CPPCC should play a bigger role in advising on the adjustment of economic development pattern, now a top task for China as it is pursuing a steady and relatively fast development.