China's State Council Information Office on Wednesday published a white paper titled "Democratic Reform in Tibet – Sixty Years On."
Democratic Reform in Tibet – Sixty Years On
The State Council Information Office of
the People's Republic of China
March 2019
Contents
I. Feudal Serfdom: A Dark History
II. Irresistible Historical Trend
III. Abolishing Feudal Serfdom
IV. The People Have Become Masters of Their Own Affairs
V. Liberating and Developing the Productive Forces
VI. Promoting a Range of Undertakings
VII. Enhancing Ecological Progress
VIII. Protecting the Freedom of Religious Belief
IX. Strengthening Ethnic Equality and Unity
X. Development of Tibet in the New Era
Preamble
The year 2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the campaign of democratic reform in Tibet. In traditional Chinese culture, the 60th year is always memorable as it completes a cycle called the Jiazi, a concept unique to the Chinese calendar.
Tibet's democratic reform that took place six decades ago gave a new life to Tibet and the ethnic peoples living there.
These 60 years have changed Tibet completely. Tibet's democratic reform is the greatest and most profound social transformation in the history of Tibet. By abolishing serfdom, a grim and backward feudal system, Tibet was able to establish a new social system that liberated the people and made them the masters of the nation and society, thus ensuring their rights in all matters.
These 60 years have turned Tibet into a beautiful home to the people of Tibet. Tibet's democratic reform opened up bright prospects. With the strong support of the central government and the rest of the country, the ethnic peoples of Tibet have spared no effort in forging ahead and transforming their poor and backward old land into a beautiful new home that is economically prosperous and socially advanced, with a sound ecological environment where people live in happiness and contentment.
These 60 years have seen solidarity and enterprising spirit of the people in Tibet. Thanks to democratic reform, the ethnic peoples of Tibet and the rest of the country have worked together with one heart to develop ethnic relationships characterized by equality, unity, mutual support and harmony. In the fight to guard national unity and oppose separatism, the people of Tibet have closely followed the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the face of all forms of hardship, challenge, and test, reinforcing the communal strength of the Chinese nation.
These 60 years have seen a great leap of social progress. Under the strong leadership of the CPC, Tibet has been able to transform from a society under feudal serfdom to socialism, from poverty and backwardness to civility and progress. As Chinese socialism has entered a new era, the ethnic peoples of Tibet, led by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core, are working together with the people of the rest of the country to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.