[China] said that his parents did not want international figures and the media intruding into his life

British minister John Battle

The boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, was taken into government custody in 1995 after he was selected for the office by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The government then named a rival boy to the office, but he enjoys little Tibetan support and visited his Tibetan monastery a year ago under armed guard.

There have been frequent expressions of concern about Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's well-being.

Photos

Last year the Chinese Government denied reports he had died in police custody.

The Dalai Lama's choice has not been seen for several years

His case was discussed last month during a round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.

In a statement released on Tuesday, UK Foreign Office Minister John Battle said that Chinese officials showed, but did not hand over, two photographs which they said were of Gedhun.

"The Chinese stated that the boy was well and attending school."

"They said that his parents did not want international figures and the media intruding into his life," he said.

Human rights groups complain that the photos, said to show a boy playing table tennis and writing Chinese characters, offer no proof of the Panchen Lama's well-being or whereabouts.

Key role

They have described the boy as the world's youngest political prisoner.

Correspondents say that one reason why the Panchen Lama is so crucial in Tibetan religion - and in Chinese-Tibetan relations - is the fact that he is charged with selecting the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

The current Dalai Lama, who fled from Chinese rule in 1959, is currently living in exile in India.