The first-ever TV series play about the Tibetan Living Buddha made in China is showing on the state TV station.

The Fifth Living Buddha, based on history, portrays the Buddhist leader who was killed by the local forces supported by British imperialists for his effort to avoid Tibetan independence from China just after it was founded.

The 20-episode play, made by the Stellar Mega Films Ltd., has attracted attention from the Chinese government.

Experts of the China State Administration of Radio, Film and Television say the TV play is an uncommon one of patriotism.

"It is of profound significance to safeguarding the reunification of China and the unity of all the ethnic groups," the expert panel said.

The play, made from March to August this year, was directed by Yang Tao, a Tibetan TV-play veteran director, and starred in by Duobujie, a noted Tibetan actor who appeared in Kekexili Mountain Patrol by Chinese up-and-coming director Lu Chuan.

The Fifth Living Buddha has been screened on Channel One of China Central Television during prime time from Dec. 2.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)