40th birthday of Tibet Autonomous Region

cctv.com 09-02-2005 10:46

China is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region. And a special celebration was held on Thursday at Potala Palace to mark the region's achievements over the past four decades.

The celebration was staged in front of the highest palace in the world, the Potala Palace. Thousands gathered in the newly-renovated Potala Palace Square for the event.

With the best wishes of Chinese people of all nationalities, a central government delegation attended, on behalf of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, and other Party and government organizations.

CPPCC Chairman Jia Qingllin said, "On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Military Commission, let me send our sincerest congratulations and warmest regards to the workers, farmers, herdsmen, intellectuals, civil servants, PLA soldiers, armed forces, police officers, people from all walks of life and all ethnic origins in the Tibet Autonomous Region."

Tibet has undergone great change in the past 40 years. In 1951, the central government peacefully liberated Tibet from imperialist invasion to achieve the Chinese nation's great unity. People's permanent freedom is now ensured, due to democratic reforms and the abolition of feudalist serfdom in the region.

Implementation of regional autonomy by minority nationalities in the region gives more initiatives to local residents. The Tibetan people, comprising various ethnic groups, have actively participated in state affairs, and used their various autonomous rights given by the Constitution and laws, to manage the internal affairs of the Tibetan region.

Economic development in the region is amazing, as it's enjoyed 12 percent GDP annual increases for 4 years in a row. The GDP last year was more than 18 times over the figure 40 years ago. The central government's infrastructure investment has paved the way for the development.

Schools for Tibetan language learning have been set up. Cultural relics and construction sites are well protected. Some are even on the World Cultural Heritage list.

Editor:Liu Fengming  Source:CCTV.com