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There are two significant developments in the visit of Gyaltsen Norbu (CH: Gyaincain Norbu), the boy chosen by China as the 11th Panchen Lama to the Kumbum and, reportedly, Labrang monasteries in Amdo.

Stringent security procedures were in place for the recent visit of the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama, 13 year old Gyaltsen Norbu, to Kumbum (Chinese: Ta’ersi) monastery in Huangzhong (Tib: Kumbum) county, as part of a 11-day tour of Qinghai.

This year has witnessed a satisfactory result in the road construction in Tibet and the three main projects (including the key, leading-to-county and cross-country road construction) are going on steadily.

Referring to the recent Sino-India joint declaration in Beijing, Shri Indresh Kumar said that this was a diplomatic move and not necessarily India's expression of faith and confidence in China.

Poetry reading in session

The Friends of Tibet, India, yesterday held a poetry reading session which also marked the launch of a magazine 'Creative Resistance' printed and published for Friend's of Tibet by its founder Sethu Das and his brother.

Chinese officials say improvements in health care standards in Tibet have almost doubled life spans there from 35 to 65 years. And by 2010, they are confident that Tibet's development can rival other Chinese cities.

This is a transcript from The World Today. The program is broadcast around Australia at 12:10pm on ABC Local Radio. HAMISH ROBERTSON: We start the program in Beijing, where the Prime Minister John Howard is today beginning a series of meetings with China's top leaders.

The upcoming tour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United States will also feature a programme to dedicate a Temple in Bloomington, Indiana.

A sculpture at the Lhalung monastery showing the Buddha amidst lively mythical creatures and foliated designs.