China has warned that foreign forces are trying to "influence" the Tibetan Buddhism religion.

A senior Chinese official urged Tibetan monks to stay away from the influence of foreign forces, which are attempting to destabilize the Tibetan autonomous region. The official did not reveal the identity of 'foreign forces.'

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Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged Tibetan monks to carry forward their "patriotic traditions" and guide their followers in the region to safeguard national and ethnic unity. He also called on Chinese authorities to protect the religious freedom of all ethnic groups.

"Work should support representative personages of Tibetan Buddhism to interpret religious doctrines in line with socialist core values, and help Tibetan Buddhism better adapt to socialist society," Yu said during his visit to the Galden Jampaling Monastery last Friday, according to Xinhua.

Critics have accused China of interfering in Tibet's religious affairs. Tibetan groups recently accused Beijing of demolishing Larung Gar monastery - the largest Buddhist education institute in Tibet. Located in Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Region in Sichuan province, the Larun Gar Monastery is considered one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist study centers in the world. The Chinese government, however, dismissed the allegations saying that the demolition drive is part of renovation work.

Tibetan spiritual and political leader Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 and set up a government-in-exile in the northern Indian city of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. He has been in exile since. Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a separatist.

Tagschina, Tibet, Buddhism, Dalai Lama, Tibetan