The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was among 13 people who on Sunday became new members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body.

Their memberships were approved by a meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, which closed on Sunday.

The three-day meeting also appointed Qian Yunlu as secretary-general for the third session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee and 21 others as vice secretary-generals.

The annual session will begin on March 3.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2010)