TibetCulture
 

Home > History > Memorabilia
 
 
From: China Daily 2011-05-26 09:17:00
by: Lian Xiangmin
Text size
Tibet's path to democracy

Freedom from feudal autocracy means everyone in the region enjoys equal rights and shares self-governance

The peaceful liberation of Tibet 60 years ago marked a historic turning point as it ended the millenniums-long feudal autocracy and opened the door to a new epoch for the region.

Until its peaceful emancipation in 1951, Tibet was a typical feudal hierarchical society in which people were divided by its 13-Article and 16-Article codes into three classes and nine ranks. The two statutes stipulated that different people enjoyed a different status.

Tibet was a politico-religious feudal serfdom in which the serf-owning stratum of society, which comprised upper-level monks and priests and secular aristocrats, comprised only 5 percent of the region's population. This powerful minority controlled all of the land and resources. The serfs were deprived of any means of production and denied their freedom and political rights.

On May 23, 1951, the Chinese central government signed an accord with Tibet's local government on the latter's peaceful liberation, explicitly stipulating and guaranteeing Tibetan people's right to self-autonomy under the leadership of the central government.

However, a fierce confrontation erupted between Tibet's upper-class serf owners and the Tibetan people over whether the region should reform its politico-religious feudal serfdom after 1956. To maintain the old system intact, some serf owners plotted an all-out armed revolt in March 1959. After the failed rebellion, the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India and established a so-called government in exile with the promulgation of a pseudo constitution.

Tibetan people after 1959 carried out a series of sweeping democratic reforms aimed at smashing the past autocratic regime, separating religion from politics and extricating all serfs from dependence on serf owners.

The formation of an all-inclusive electorate political system at various levels of local government symbolized the birth of democratic politics in the region. By 1961 a total of 283 district-level and 1,009 township-level local governments had been set up via people's elections.

On Aug 25, 1964, the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, approved the State Council's proposal of setting up the Tibet autonomous region. In September the same year, the first session of the Tibetan people's congress was held in Lhasa, symbolizing the formal establishment of the autonomous region.

 
[editor : ]
 
Save/Share
添加到百度搜藏
 
 
TibetCulture
Related Stories
 
· Tibet's six-decade progress proves CPC's successful work
· Regional ethnic autonomy benefits Tibetans
· Tibet's economy heads to prosperity in 60 years
· Great step forward in Tibet's political development
· Old Tibetan serfs become masters of Tibet
· Tibet's path to democracy
 
 
Features
 
 
  Most Popular
  • Asia's holiest mountain to see highest charity race ...
  • Tibetan Buddhism among Mosuo people
  • Railway to Tibet stands safety, environment tests
  • Nearly 20,000 Tibetan antelopes return to Hoh Xil
  • Former Tibetan serfs become millionaires
  • New Beijing-Tibet expressway project approved
  • Tibet builds national parks to woo international sig...
  • Tibet's import-export value in 2010 hits decade high
  •   CAPDTC News
  • CAPDTC hosts New Year reception
  • 11th Panchen Erdeni Qoigyi Gyibo donates and prays f...
  • Top Chinese political advisor meets attendees at CPA...
  • Top political advisor stresses protection of Tibetan...
  • Overseas Chinese urged to introduce Tibet in foreign...
  • CAPDTC: Newly-elected directors vow to protect Tibet...
  • Representatives at 2nd Conference of CAPDTC
  • New leadership elected in CAPDTC Executive Council
  •   Latest News
  • Life expectancy in Tibet nearly doubled over last si...
  • Tibetan culture closely tied with Han culture
  • Thangka embroidery of Khampa ethnic group
  • Gaze into new township
  • Lhoka local government trains unemployed with hand-s...
  • People amazed by great changes in Tibet over past 60...
  • Blooming flowers decorate Lhasa
  • Books released to mark Tibet's peaceful liberation
  •   Lesson Six: Family
      Hello, Everyone! Welcome to Learning Tibetan. In this lesson, we will learn some new words and sentences about family.
     
    TibetCulture
    About Us
    |
    Contact Us
    |
    Site Map
    |
    Legal Warning
    Copyright © China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture ( CAPDTC )