Masters of Their Own Destiny

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the democratic reform in Tibet, which thoroughly eradicated the feudal serfdom there that had lasted for thousands of years. The reform emancipated 90 percent of the Tibetan population from serfdom and     

A Way Out of the ＂Tibet Issue＂ and the Future of Tibet

HE ＂Tibet Issue＂ was conceived at a time when Western imperialists were determined to invade and carve up China. They wooed and promoted separatist forces in Tibet from among the serf-owning class, which likewise wished to split Tibet from China with the support of imperialists. Between them, the two sides colluded and fabricated the ＂Tibet Issue.＂     

The Truth About Tibet

正May 23 marked the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet.During the past 70 years, Tibet has progressed together with the other regions of China, from a closed and underdeveloped society that practiced serfdom to a socialist region.Today, it has 116,600 km of highways, with most villages linked to them. The autonomous region is also connected with 130 domestic and international air routes.     

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Sonam Dorjee and his family run a furniture cooperative in Khesum Village in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.With an annual income of more than 600,000 yuan($89,300)from the cooperative,he is now living a well-off life.But such a comfortable life would have been unheard of only 60 years ago when the village,along with all of Tibet,stood under the dark cloud of feudal serfdom.At that time,people like Sonam Dorjee,now 72,were exploited by local administrative officials,nobles and upper-ranking lamas known as the three major estate-holders.     

LIFTING UP THE PEOPLE

A white paper on democratic reform and the development leap that has taken place in southwest China's Tibet as a result was issued by China's State Council Information Office on March 27,marking the 60th anniversary of the campaign in Tibet.Titled Democratic Reform in Tibet—Sixty Years On,the white paper lauded the drive as "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," the document stated.     

Remembering the Past While Reaching for the Future

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Tibet＇s democratic reform. In an act with a farreaching effect and great significance, the Second Session of the Ninth People＇s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region recently designated March 28 to thereafter become the annual Serf Liberation Day. Over the past more than 50 years, I have not only borne intimate witness to the final chapter and subsequent abolition of a system of feudal serfdom that had subsisted for more than one thousand years,     

A Historic Choice：Democratic Reform in Tibet

In mid--2Ofh century,Tibet, the largest ethnic minority-ruled region in China＇s southwest, was still a feudal serfdom under the despotic theocratic rule of officials, lamas and nobles.     

Fiftieth Anniversary of Democratic Reform in Tibet

Tibet has been an inseparable part of China since an t times. Its peaceful Ition, expulsion of imperialist aggressor forces, democratic reform and abolition of its theocratic feudal serfdom were significant parts of the Chinese people＇s national democratic revolution against imperialism and feudalism in modern history.     

Tibet: Nearer and Nearer——An Interview With Radi,chairman of the Standing Committee of the People''''s Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region

In the 50 years since peaceful liberation of Tibet, thepeople of various ethnic groups in Tibet have advanced fromdarkness to the light, from backwardness to progress, fromignorance to civilization, from poverty to prosperity, andfrom isolation to openness," says Radi, a Tibetan, and chair-man of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress ofTibet Autonomous Region.People often liken the old Tibet to the European MiddleAges, with its monopolization of political power, and owner-ship o…     

Stories of Horror Throws Light on Cruelty of Serfdom in Old Tibet

We are going to tell you some stories that took place in old Tibet, before the Democratic Reform in the late 1950s. about how, for the sole "crime" of being slaves or serfs, people had their limbs amputated, eyes gouged out or noses cut off. These stories of horror might be beyond comprehension of any person with the least sense of human civilization, even though they are real. The system of serfdom practiced in old Tibet featured a combination of civil and     

GYANTSE-Historical Destination on the Roof of the World

Gyantse was once Tibet's third most important city lying astride the main trade routes from India, Bhutan and Nepal to Lhasa. For many centuries yak caravans carried bags of sheep and yak wool from the north of Tibet to Gyantse from where it was exported to the southern countries.     

Salt Well Town on the ＂Roof of the World＂

EVER since I heard of Yan-jing (salt well in Chinese) in Tibet as a child, the place has held fascination for me. A recent work trip gave me the chance to see Yanjing and all of Tibet's breathtaking landscape first hand. Yanjing is in a valley in Markam County, on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The Jingsha, Nu and Lancang rivers converge in the region,     

Seeking Facts From Fiction

The reasons why some Western media produced distorted reports about the March riots in Lhasa,capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, have come in for much debate in China.Turning a blind eye to the brutality of the mob,who killed 18 civilians and one police officer,in- cluding an eight-month-old baby boy who was burned to death with his parents in Dagze County on March 16,rioters have been described by some newspapers,broadcasts and websites in the West as"peaceful pro- testers."Biased reporting is usually the outcome of ignorance.The simple way to get the truth is by visiting Tibet,talking to local people and listen- ing to what they have to say. Before serfdom was abolished in Tibet in the early 1950s,the con-     

Fresco by the name of Buddha Murals of the Potala Palace

For thousands of years, the mysterious murals of thePotala Palace have always evoked boundlessimagination. "Potala" is a derivation from the Sanskrit "Potalaka", whichis the mythical mountain abode of Avalokitesvara, one of theBodhisattvas (Buddhist saints). The Potala stands on the RedHill overlooking of Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region.It is the largest existent architectural complex in Tibet. It is 3,600 meters above sea level and covers an area of over 366,775square mete…     

Tibet’s Dramatic Changes Over the Last 60 Years

The days when Wangdu was a serf are long gone, since democratic reform in Tibet in 1959 declared the end of serfdom there.However,he won fame and was remembered as Serf Champa.The former serf enjoyed his time in the limelight in 1963,when the film Serf starring Wangdu was shown across China.     

Who Is the Dalai Lama?

The U.S.Congress awarded the 14th Dalai Lama the Congressional gold medal on October 17.In response,the Chinese side pointed out that the Dalai Lama,the former chief representative of the feudal serfdom under the theocratic socio-political structure in Tibet,has never been the"representative of democracy"he proclaims he is.A signed article by Hua Zi,entitled"Dalai Lama in Glory of Religion, U.S.in Glory of Democracy"and released by Xinhua News Agency, reveals some deeds and words of the Dalai Lama that have nothing in common with recognized principles of democracy and human rights.     

PEOPLE/POINTS

Panchen Lama Praises Tibet Development The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, has said that the abolition of serfdom in Tibet five decades ago is in line with Buddhist teachings.     

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway： Focus of World Attention

WHEN complete theQinghai-Tibet Railway, running from Xining City in QinghaiProvince to Lhasa in Tibet Autonomous Region, will be 1,956 kilometers long. The 814-km section from Xining to Golmud was built and put into operation in 1984. Construction of the 1,142-km section from Golmud to Lhasa, which includes renovation of the 32-km section from Golmud to Nanshankou and construction of the 1,110-km section from Nanshankou to Lhasa, began on June 29, 2001. It will take six years to complete.     

Thoughts on Serfs Emancipation Day

Fifty years ago, on March 28, 1959, Zhou Enlai, Premier of the State Council of the People＇s Repubfic of China, promulgated a decree of the State Council, declanng the Tibet local government controlled by Tibet＇s feudal aristocrats and upperstratum clergy dissolved on that day and resolving that the powers of the Tibet local government be exercised by the Preparatory Committee for the Founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region from that day on. This decision of great historic significance sounded the death knell of the feudal serf system in old Tibet, a theocratic system that was reactionary, corrupt and dark. The change of government cleared obstacles and created conditions for development and progress in Tibet. After that a broad democratic reform movement swept the plateau region. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the one million serfs in Tibet buried the feudal serf system and won their emancipation,     

Tudeng Kezhu:Professor from“Roof of the World”

It was in March 2003. I had the honor to meet a Tibetan young man coming from the snow-capped plateau. Slim and tall, he looked delicate and easy in manners. Wearing a pair of glasses, his eyes were bright and shining. Born in a pasture in the Qamdo area of Tibet, he speaks fluent Han language, revealing that he received higher education in the Han-inhabited area. He is Tudeng Kezhu, now serving as the deputy dean and associate professor of the Economics Department of Tibet University in Lhasa and came to Beijing for the first session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).