The 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu on Sunday visited an exhibition displaying economic and social progress that Tibet Autonomous Region has achieved in the past five decades.

The Panchen Lama, one of the religious leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, went to the Cultural Palace of Nationalities to see the exhibition titled "50th Anniversary of Democratic Reforms in Tibet" that has been in running in Beijing since Feb. 24.

The Panchen Lama said documentary pictures, files and relics vividly reproduced the tragedy of slaves in old Tibet and the progress in human rights since the abolition of the serfdom.

Tibetan people could only achieve progress and have a bright future under the leadership of Communist Party of China, the Panchen Lama said.

"People living in Tibet should cherish the prosperity and happy lives today," he said, adding that he would continue to guide Tibetan Buddhists to be adapted to the country's socialist society.

The 19-year-old Panchen Lama promised that he would inherit his predecessor's tradition to be a patriot and try to maintain the nation's unity, stability and harmony.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2009)