Chinese Buddhist leader dies at 66

Jia Lasen, vice head of the Buddhist Association of China and a top Buddhist leader in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, died at the age of 66 on Sunday, according to local authorities.

Jia, who was also a member of the 10th, 11th and 12th national committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, died of an unspecified illness in Hohhot, the regional capital, according to the region's Communist Party of China (CPC) United Front Work Department.

The Buddhist Association of China sent message of condolence to the Buddhist association of Inner Mongolia on Sunday.

Jia Lasen was elected head of the Buddhist association of Inner Mongolia in 2004.

Jia, a Mongolian, was also a professor at Inner Mongolia University.