Dharmshala, April 25 -- The Tibetan government-in-exile on Friday reiterated the call for the Chinese government to release the 11th Panchen Lama, who was abducted in 1995, as they marked the 36th birthday of the spiritual leader whose whereabouts and well-being still remain unknown.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, considered by Tibetans to be second only to the Dalai Lama, was abducted by China in 1995 when he was only six-years-old. He was born in Chinese occupied Tibet on April 25, 1989.

On 14 May 1995, the 14th Dalai Lama had publicly announced the young boy as the 11th Panchen Lama and officially bestowed him the name Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo. Three days later, on May 17, the young Panchen...