SHIJIAZHUANG, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Panchen Lama vowed to contribute to a harmonious China and world while visiting a Tibetan Buddhist center in north China.

    The living Buddha and leader of Tibetan Buddhism paid a four-day visit to Chengde city in Hebei Province from last Thursday to Monday.

    The city, a summer resort of ancient Chinese emperors, has eight famous royal Tibetan Buddhist temples built by emperors of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) who were devout believers of Tibetan Buddhism.

    "I am happy to be in Chengde which I have long wished to visit," said the living Buddha Monday.

    Two Panchen Lamas had been in Chengde before. One was the sixth Panchen Lama who came here to perform rituals for the birthday of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in 1780 and the other was the 10th Panchen Lama in 1980.

    "I would like to maintain the tradition of former Panchen Lamas who loved the country as well as their faith and worked hard for the unification of the country and harmony among the people," he said.

    He also thanked the people of Hebei Province for regular donations and aid to Ali area in western Tibet.

    The 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, was born on Feb. 13, 1990 in Lhari county of Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet. He was approved by the central government in November 1995 as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama after a lot drawing ceremony among three candidates in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, and was enthroned as the 11th Panchen Lama on Dec. 8, 1995.