Top political advisor warns of foreign influence on Tibetan Buddhism

Yu Zhengsheng(C), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), talks with workers at a substation of State Grid Corporation of China, in Qamdo, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 12, 2016. Yu made an inspection tour in Qamdo from Aug. 12 to 13. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 -- Chinese top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has called on religious figures in Tibet to resist the influence of foreign forces, to ensure stability in the autonomous region.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, was in Qamdo, Tibet on Friday and Saturday, where he visited businesses, hospitals, and lamaseries.

At Galden Jampaling Monastery, Yu urged religious figures in Tibet to carry forward their patriotic traditions and guide their followers in the region to safeguard national and ethnic unity.

He called on local authorities to defend the religious freedom of all ethnic groups.

Authorities should protect monasteries and ensure a normal religious life for adherents.

Work should support "representative personages of Tibetan Buddhism to interpret religious doctrines in line with socialist core values, and help Tibetan Buddhism better adapt to socialist society," he said.

Yu told authorities should put environmental protection at the top of their agenda while scaling up.

They must also optimize the allocation of poverty alleviation resources in line with national plans.