Fifty years ago, the central government and the then Tibet local government signed an agreement for the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

    The event marks the end of the invasion of Tibet by imperialist forces and the breaking of the shackles they had put on the Tibetan people. It has led to the reunification of the Chinese mainland and the abolishment of the feudal serfdom, and paved the way towards a new life for the one million serfs and the Tibetan people.

    Raidi, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Regional People's Congress and witness of the event, recalled the changes in Tibet over the 50 years during a speech at the meeting.

    "The past 50 years have witnessed splendid achievements for the Tibetan people, who have gone from darkness to brightness, from backwardness to progress, from poverty to wealth, from ignorance to civilization, and from seclusion to openness," he said.

    Representatives of former serfs and their children spoke of their happy life and Tibet's achievements in modernization as witnessed by themselves.

    Zhaba Wanju, a 48-year old farmer from the Deqen Town of Doilungdeqen County, spoke on behalf of the 6,000 farmers and herdsmen in his town.

    He told the audience, quite proudly, that farmers in the town earned 1,660 yuan on average in 2000, higher than the average level of the autonomous region.

    In the town, 92 percent of the people are well-off and 98 percent of the school-age children are receiving an education and 90 percent of the population are covered by the co-operative medical care system, he said.

    "I have personally seen the changes in my town, and the changes in people's lives. It is the epitome of the development and progress in Tibet under the leadership of the Communist Party," he said.

    Among the speakers on the occasion were representatives from religious organizations, education, culture and other areas.

    In Bayizhen or August 1 Township, in southern Tibet, various activities have been going on over the last few days to mark the event.

    On Wednesday, a grand flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the town square, which was attended by more than 1,000 government officials, armed police soldiers and citizens.