The peaceful liberation of Tibet was an important part of the cause of the Chinese people's liberation, a great event in the Chinese nation's struggle against imperialist invasion to safeguard national unity and sovereignty, an epoch-making turning point in the social development history of Tibet, says a white paper on Monday.

The white paper also says that the peaceful liberation of Tibet is a milestone marking the commencement of Tibet's progress from a dark and backward society to a bright and advanced future.

According to the white paper, "On May 23, 1951 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" for short) was signed in Beijing, marking the peaceful liberation of Tibet."

Moreover, "Over the 60 years since its peaceful liberation, Tibet, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Central People's Government, has undergone a great historic process starting with democratic reform, and proceeding to the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region, socialist construction, and to the reform and opening-up era, made unprecedented achievements in the modernization drive, and witnessed great changes in its social outlook and profound changes in its people's life. These achievements were attained by all the ethnic groups in Tibet through concerted efforts, and vividly manifest how China implements the ethnic minority policy of promoting unity and achieving common prosperity and development."

The Chinese government Monday published the white paper on the development of Tibet since 1951 to mark the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of the region.

The document, released by the State Council's Information Office, reviewed the profound political and social changes that have taken place in Tibet over the past 60 years.