In fact ， the go-west strategy gives Tibet a historic opportunity to become a prosperous land of social advancement and ethnic freedom ， said Luo Gan ， a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

    Luo ， also a State councillor， made the remarks yesterday in Beijing at a gathering marking the 50th anniversary of peaceful liberation of Tibet ， which pulled Tibetans out of serfdom and blazed a new path to prosperity.

    He said the peaceful liberation of Tibet marked the great unity of China in a new era and opened a new chapter in Tibetan history.

    The central government of China signed the 17-article agreement with the local government of Tibet on May 23， 1951. The People's Liberation Army then marched into Lhasa in October that year.

    Luo said that the Communist Party of China and central government are sincere in carrying out that agreement， while the 14th Dalai Lama tore it up ， betrayed the motherland and embarked on the road to separatism.

    Luo was echoed by Raidi ， chairman of the Standing Committee of People's Congress of Tibet ， who also said yesterday that the liberation ushered in an unprecedented development momentum and brought earth-shaking changes.

    Speaking at a gathering of 300 in Lhasa ， Raidi said the agreement led to a half-century of growth that has improved education and eliminated poverty.

    Raidi spoke highly of how Tibet's success fits into the nation's overall strategy for social stability and progress.

    Thanks to the special concerns of the central government and the help of other provinces and municipalities， Tibet has enjoyed a more than 10 per cent increase in its annual gross domestic product（GDP ） over the past seven years to 11.7 billion yuan（US$1.4 billion） last year. That's about 30 times greater than in 1951， he said.

    The region's population increased from a million in early 1950s to more than 2.6 million， with the lifespan extending from 36 years then to 67 years now， the chairman said.

    Recalling the past， Raidi said the 50-year history is a testament to the fact that， without the Communist Party of China ， support from the nation and the hard work of all Tibetans， none of this would be possible.

    Tibetan people have also been fighting against the separatist activities in the past five decades ， Raidi said.

    But the autonomous region has prevailed ， improving the political and educational conditions to deal a heavy blow to the Dalai's devious efforts ， Raidi said.

    Raidi said the government has always respected and protected the rights and interests of religious believers.