The following is the biographical sketch of Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai, who was elected vice-chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Thursday:

Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai

Male, of Tibetan ethnic group, born in February 1940, native of Litang, Sichuan Province. With a university education.

Vice-chairman of 11th CPPCC National Committee, honorary president of Buddhist Association of China, and chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee.

1942 Recognized as 11th Pagbalha Hutugtu (incarnation of living Buddha) of Qangdin Lamasery in Qamdo, Tibet

1950-1952 First vice-chairman of Qamdo Prefecture People's Liberation Committee

1952-1956 Studying Buddhist sutra in Sera Monastery, Lhasa

1956-1959 Member of Standing Committee of Preparatory Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region and vice-chairman of regional Religious Affairs Committee

1959-1965 Vice-chairman of CPPCC National Committee, vice-chairman of Preparatory Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region, chairman of regional Religious Affairs Committee, and commissioner of Qamdo Prefecture Commissioner's Office

1965-1979 Vice-chairman of CPPCC National Committee, vice-chairman of People's Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region, and vice-chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee

1979-1993 Vice-chairman of CPPCC National Committee, vice-chairman of Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Government, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, vice-chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, vice-president of Buddhist Association of China and honorary president of its Tibet branch, and chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee

1993-2003 Vice-chairman of Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC), chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, and vice-president and honorary president of Buddhist Association of China

2003- Vice-chairman of CPPCC National Committee, honorary president of Buddhist Association of China, and chairman of CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee.

Deputy to 2nd to 5th NPC, and vice-chairman of Standing Committee of 8th and 9th NPC. Vice-chairman of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,7th, 10th and 11th CPPCC National Committees.