The Panchen Lama initially supported Communist policies for Tibet.[1] Radio Beijing broadcast the religious leader's call for Tibet to be "liberated" into the PRC, which created pressure on the Lhasa government to negotiate with the People's Republic.[2] He also called on Tibetans to support the Chinese government."[48] However in 1962, he wrote the 70,000 Character Petition detailing abuses of power in Tibet and discussed it with Premier Zhou Enlai.[49] However, in 1964, he was imprisoned and forced to undergo Struggle sessions.[50] In October 1977, he was released but held under house arrest in 1982.