Grand Celebration Ceremony Held for the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of Xizang Autonomous Region; Xi Jinping Attends the Event

 

 

LHASA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Six decades of hard work braving wind and rain; sixty years of profound changes on the snowy plateau. On the morning of August 21, approximately 20,000 officials and people of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life in Xizang gathered at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa to warmly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the grand gathering.

 

Also in attendance were Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Head of the Central Delegation, who delivered a speech, and Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

 

The ancient city of Lhasa was adorned with colorful flags, permeated with a festive atmosphere. Beneath the majestic Potala Palace, a rostrum built in Xizang-style architecture was erected. Above the rostrum, the national emblem of the People's Republic of China and a prominent banner reading "Grand Gathering to Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region" stood out. On the backdrop wall hung the emblem of the grand celebration and the numerals "1965" and "2025", flanked by 10 red national flags中国共产党新闻网. Across from the rostrum on Potala Palace Square, people of all ethnic groups in their holiday best converged from all directions, waving red flags in their hands, forming a sea of joy.

 

At around 10 a.m., amid cheerful music, Xi Jinping and other leading officials ascended the rostrum, and the entire audience erupted into prolonged and warm applause.

 

Garma Cedain, Deputy Secretary of the Xizang Regional Party Committee and Chairman of the Xizang Regional People's Government, declared the gathering open. All rose to their feet and sang the national anthem in unison, as the bright Five-Star Red Flag rose slowly at Potala Palace Square.

 

Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council and Deputy Head of the Central Delegation, read out a congratulatory message from the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the CPPCC and the Central Military Commission on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region.

 

 

Wang Huning presented to the Xizang Autonomous Region a congratulatory plaque inscribed by Xi Jinping with the words "Jointly Build a Community for the Chinese Nation, Write a New Chapter for a Beautiful Xizang".

 

In his speech, Wang Huning said: "In September 1965, under the cordial care of the Party Central Committee and the brilliant guidance of the Party's ethnic policies, the Xizang Autonomous Region was proclaimed. This was an epoch-making event in the history of Xizang's development, consolidating the great achievements of the peaceful liberation of Xizang and democratic reform, and realizing a historic leap in Xizang's social system. Over the past 60 years, Xizang has witnessed all-round economic and social development, the successful implementation of the system of ethnic regional autonomy, increasingly consolidated ethnic unity, and a thriving life for people of all ethnic groups. This fully demonstrates the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the remarkable political advantages of China's socialist system."

 

Wang Huning noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to and comprehensively strengthened work in Xizang, established the Party's policies for governing Xizang in the new era, and systematically planned and advanced long-term stability and high-quality development in Xizang from the overall perspective of the cause of the Party and the country. Together with the rest of the country, Xizang has won the battle against poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It has achieved historic progress in economic and social development, historic changes in the cause of ethnic unity and progress, and a historic leap in people's living standards. Xizang has entered a historical period featuring the best development, the greatest changes, and the most benefits for people of all ethnic groups, and the building of a new modern socialist Xizang is brimming with vitality.

 

Standing at a new historical starting point, Wang Huning said, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," enhance the "Four Matters of Confidence," and fulfill the "Two Maintenances". We must implement the Party's policies for governing Xizang in the new era, firmly grasp the main theme of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and focus on the four major tasks of stability, development, ecological conservation, and border security. We will strive to build a united, prosperous, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful new modern socialist Xizang, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

 

Wang Junzheng, Secretary of the Xizang Regional Party Committee, and Dolma Rigzin, a representative of the Xizang people, addressed the gathering.

 

Subsequently, a grand mass parade filled with auspicious and festive atmosphere was held. The parade consisted of four segments: "Guidance of the Flag," "The Four Major Tasks," "Striving in the New Era," and "Marching toward the Future," with 26 civilian parade formations and floats proceeding in sequence amid joyful music. People of all ethnic groups, dressed in colorful costumes, performed enthusiastic and cheerful dances, expressing their joy over living a happy life and gratitude to the Party and the country. Xi Jinping and other leaders waved to the people from all walks of life from time to time.

 

Amid the stirring melody of "Ode to the Motherland," peace doves soared into the sky and colorful balloons rose into the air. Warm applause and cheers erupted from the venue, and the grand gathering concluded successfully.

 

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong, Lobsang Gyaltsen, Hu Chunhua, Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai and Zhang Shengmin, veteran officials who have worked in Xizang, as well as leading officials from relevant central and state organs, all members of the Central Delegation, and leading officials of the Party, government and military in Xizang Autonomous Region attended the gathering