Tibet celebrates anniversary of liberation

Activities to mark this week's 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of the Tibet autonomous region are in full swing, regional officials told a news conference on Tuesday.

The Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet (17-Article Agreement) was signed in 1951, officially proclaiming the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

The news conference was told activities celebrating the anniversary include a photo exhibition of the region's historic achievements, a grand celebration event, theatrical performances, symposiums, movie shows and the distribution of gifts to residents.

"In accordance with the current requirements of epidemic prevention and control for COVID-19, the celebration will reduce the number of large-scale mass gatherings, with no celebratory parades," Zhao Huinian, deputy secretary of the regional Party committee, told the news conference.

The region will stick to the principle of avoiding excessive spending on celebrations, and will invest more in improving people's livelihoods, he said.

Between July 21 and 23, President Xi Jinping visited the cities of Nyingchi and Lhasa in Tibet.

"I am here to show the strong support of the CPC Central Committee for Tibet as well as its care for the people of the plateau region," Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said during his visit.

Zhao said representatives of the central government participating in the regional celebrations will present gifts such as washing machines to rural residents, and give health products to others.

"Over the 70 years since Tibet was peacefully liberated, the region has adopted democratic reform, practiced the socialist system and the reform and opening-up policy, and stepped into a new era," Zhao said.

Greater changes have taken place since the Party's 18th National Congress in 2012, he added.

"Tibet has made all-around progress and historic achievements in various undertakings," Zhao said.

Since Monday, a series of activities have been launched in the region to commemorate the historic event, with China's central bank issuing a set of commemorative coins on Monday.

On the same day, a tea distribution ceremony was held by the region's department of commerce in Lhasa, the regional capital.

At a cost of 250 million yuan ($39 million), a total of 9,100 metric tons of tea products will be given to about 3.06 million urban and rural residents, including monks, nuns and schoolteachers before November to help improve people's health.