BEIJING, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday sought the help of Panchen Lama to quell rising anti-China sentiments among the Tibetans, asking the pro-Beijing top Buddhist monk to play a bigger role in maintaining national unity, even as two Tibetan protesters were reportedly killed, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Wen met the 21-year-old Panchen, the second ranking Tibetan religious leader after the Dalai Lama amid calls by Chinese authorities to prepare for "a war against secessionist sabotage" by Dalai Lama.

"We hope you can guide the monks and the (Tibetan) people to love the country, uphold the law and follow Buddhist practice... you should play an important and active role in safeguarding national and ethnic unity," he told the Panchen.

Wen held a high profile reception Tibetan New Year reception to Panchen, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu regarded as China's choice to succeed Dalai Lama here today and pledged that in the future the regional ethnic autonomy will continue.

Greater efforts will be made to improve the lives of Tibetan compatriots, protect the environment and the region's cultural traditions, as well as the religious freedom of the Tibetan people, state-run Xinhua quoted Wen as saying.

The Lama along with his associates were met by Wen at the Zhongnanhai compound in central Beijing, where the Chinese leaders meets top leaders of the world.

The reception was held to greet the Tibetans on the Tibetan New Year, which falls on Feb 22.

The meeting took place as US-based broadcaster Radio Free Asia today said that two Tibetan brothers, who have been on the run after protesting against Chinese rule have been shot dead.