Washington DC, May 19 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday demanded the immediate release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, who was abducted by Chinese authorities 30 years ago at the age of six.

"Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was only six years old when Chinese authorities abducted him 30 years ago. The Panchen Lama should be released immediately," Rubio stated in a post on X, highlighting the long-standing issue of the Panchen Lama's enforced disappearance.

On May 17, 1995, just three days after the Dalai Lama recognised him, the six-year-old Panchen Lama and his family were abducted by the Chinese Communist Party. Subsequently, Beijing appointed another child as the Panchen Lama in a clear and illegitimate attempt to e...