April 26, 2012|Kelvin Chan, Associated Press

The Panchen Lama chosen by China but disputed by Tibetan Buddhists discussed religious philosophy Thursday during his first appearance outside the mainland, marking greater efforts by Beijing to win acceptance of its rule over Tibet.

The Panchen Lama is Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest spiritual leader, but followers of the exiled Dalai Lama — the top leader — do not recognize China’s choice.

Beijing’s 22-year-old Panchen Lama spoke at the third World Buddhist Forum, a showcase for China’s cultural diplomacy that is attended by more than 1,000 monks, nuns and scholars from 50 countries. His attendance is aimed at burnishing his religious credentials. He’s almost never seen in public but has also appeared at the two previous forums, held in mainland Chinese cities in 2006 and 2009. Hong Kong is a semiautonomous region of China.

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The forum highlights efforts by China’s officially atheist communist government to assert control over the religion, an integral part of the restive Himalayan region’s identity. The country’s ethnic Tibetan areas have been especially tense since violent riots four years ago in Lhasa, and the government has imposed a major security crackdown, which has not stopped a string of self-immolations.

More: AP via Boston Globe