Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday stressed stability and social harmony in the Tibet Autonomous Region while joining a panel discussion with lawmakers at the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature.

The 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu paid a formal visit to China's top legislator Wu Bangguo in Beijing on Thursday.

Chinese agricultural authorities have reported an outbreak of bird flu among poultry in Tibet.

Legqog was re-elected the top legislator of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Qiangba Puncog chairman of the regional government at the first session of the 9th Tibet Regional People's Congress, the legislature, in Lhasa on Tuesday.

China hopes the German government and leaders always honor their commitment made to China on Taiwan and Tibet issues and seriously consider and fully respect China's great concerns on issues relevant to its core interests, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu Tuesday.

China on Sunday said it appreciates Germany's opposition to a "referendum on United Nations membership" to be conducted by Taiwan authorities and opposition to any attempt seeking Tibet's independence.

Tibetan people will decide whether a new system of leadership is needed for the Himalayan people before Dalai Lama dies, he said Tuesday.

The Indian government ordered members of the cabinet to stay away from a ceremony in the capital honoring the Dalai Lama. At the event, the Tibetan spiritual leader decried China's "cultural genocide" of his Buddhist homeland, and called on China's president to achieve harmony in Tibet through the heart, and not the gun.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper became the first Canadian premier to hold formal talks with the Dalai Lama when he met the Tibetan spiritual leader in his office, ignoring China's warning that it could affect Sino-Canadian relations.

Armed Chinese police have surrounded and sealed off two monasteries in Tibet after monks began to celebrate the Dalai Lama's honor of receiving the United States Congressional Gold Medal. At least 100 monks are reported to be held inside the Drepung monastery and its not known if any have been injured or arrested. Earlier, at least 3,000 police surrounded the Zhaibung Monastery.

China has warned Germany against official contact with the Dalai Lama, calling the exiled Tibetan leader a "splittist" ahead of Sunday's meeting with the German chancellor.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has met Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, despite China's objections. Mr. Howard did not provide details of their conversation when he spoke to reporters Friday following the meeting.