The 11th Panchen Lama attended a gathering yesterday to celebrate the Tibetan New Year-the Year of the Iron Dragon, according to the Tibetan calendar.

Present were Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)National Committee and head of the United Front Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme, vice-chairman of the CPPCC. Wang offered New Year's greetings to the 11th Panchen Lama and wished him a happy 10th birthday.The Panchen Lama said he has deep regard for the motherland and the CPC's policies on religion.