Panchen Lama Controversy

With Beijing's approval, the head of the Panchen Lama search committee, Chadrel Rinpoche, remained in private communication with the Dalai Lama in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable ( for both HH as well as Beijing authorities) candidate from a list of potential reincarnates.

However, once HH Dalai Lama named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama, Chinese authorities had Chadrel Rinpoche arrested and charged with treason. According to the CTA, Tibet government in exile, he was replaced by Sengchen Lobsang Gyaltsen, who was chosen because he was more likely to agree with the party line.
Sengchen had been a political opponent of both the Dalai Lama and the 10th Panchen Lama.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (born April 25, 1989 in Lhari County, Tibet) was named as the 11th Panchen Lama bu HH Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso on May 14, 1995, and is accepted by the majority of Tibetan Buddhists.

After his nomination as Panchen Lama, Chinese authorities arrested Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and removed his family from Tibet.

He has not been seen since May 17, 1995. The Chinese government's official statement is that he is in "protective custody".

The photo in this section is the only known image of the then 6 year old boy, taken days prior to his disappearance.

(paraphrased from wikipedia)
Jizün Losang Qamba Lhünzhub Qoigyijabu Baisangbu (born Gyaincain Norbu, February 13, 1990), commonly known as Qoigyijabu, was declared by the government of The People's Republic of China to be the 11th incarnation of the Tibetan Panchen Lama. He was selected when his name was drawn from a Golden Urn.

The People's Republic of China favors this method of selecting reincarnations (compared to the traditional method of recognition by the friends of his former incarnation) as it prevents the current Dalai Lama from having any influence on the religion he historically would lead.

Qoigyijabu is the son of two Communist Party members, which may offer insight into the reasoning behind his selection.

According to Tashi Wangdi, the Representative to the Dalai Lama, he lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the Tibetan people, who are forced to attend his ceremonies. "They can't keep their Panchen Lama in Tibet. They tried to bring him to his monastery many times but people would not see him. How can you have a religious leader like that?"