The following is the full text of the message of congratulation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Standing Committee of the National People' s Congress (NPC), the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Central Military Commission on Tuesday in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

Message of Congratulation from the CPC Central Committee, the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee and the Central Military Commission Marking the 60th Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet

The CPC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, the Tibet Military Region,

As people of all ethnic groups in Tibet are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Standing Committee of the National People' s Congress (NPC), the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the Central Military Commission (CMC) send their warm congratulations and cordial greetings to workers, farmers and herdsmen, intellectuals and officials of all ethnic groups and patriotic personages from all walks of life in Tibet, to officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) and law enforcement officials in Tibet, and to all comrades who have participated in and supported Tibet's development and cared about and assisted Tibet's progress.

Sixty years ago, the central people's government and the former local government of Tibet signed in Beijing the Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. The peaceful liberation of Tibet meant that the imperialist forces were completely expelled and that national sovereignty and territorial integrity was upheld. It dealt a heavy blow to all types of separatist forces and safeguarded national unification and ethnic unity. It created conditions for a change to the theocratic feudal serfdom practiced in old Tibet and opened the path for the one million serfs to stand up and become masters of their own fate. It ushered in a bright prospect of prosperity and progress for Tibet and gave a big boost to the various undertakings in Tibet.

Over the past 60 years, the central government, with a strong commitment to Tibet-related work and to people of all ethnic groups in Tibet, has developed and implemented a range of policy measures to speed up development and maintain stability in Tibet. Under the leadership of the CPC and with support from across the country, people of all ethnic groups in Tibet overthrew the old system and established a new government. The system of regional ethnic autonomy was instituted. The socialist development drive and reform and opening-up were carried out. Earth-shaking changes have taken place in Tibet. Since the reform and opening-up started, especially since the third central working conference on Tibet, the central government has stepped up the work related to Tibet. Other provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and all social sectors in the country have offered strong support and assistance to the reform and development of Tibet. The CPC Committee and the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region have united with and led cadres and officials of all ethnic groups in the region in the development endeavor. All these have been translated into steady and fast economic growth, good results in cultural development, all-round progress in social undertakings, accelerated implementation of ecological protection programs, and markedly improved living standards of people of all ethic groups. Ethnic unity has been enhanced and the fight against separatism achieved major victory. Remarkable achievements have been made in economic, political, cultural and social development and ecological conservation as well as in Party building. Standing before us is a new socialist Tibet that is vibrant and prospering.

History has provided the most compelling evidence showing that without the CPC, there would have been no new Tibet. It is only by sticking to the CPC leadership, to the socialist system, to the system of regional ethnic autonomy and to the development path with Chinese and local Tibetan features that Tibet can enjoy the prosperity and progress of today and an even brighter future tomorrow.

Our country is at a crucial moment of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Like the rest of the country, Tibet stands at a new historical starting point. At the fifth central working conference on Tibet, strategic arrangements were made to promote leapfrog development and lasting peace and stability in Tibet. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee and the Outline of the 12th Five-Year Plan have mapped out a grand blueprint for China's development in the coming five years and put forth clear requirements for Tibet-related work. CPC committees and governments at all levels in Tibet must unite with and lead cadres and people of all ethnic groups in the autonomous region to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the central government. They should follow the theme of scientific development and focus on speeding up the transformation of economic growth pattern with a view to making new progress towards leapfrog development. Great efforts should be made to ensure that the aim and outcome of all the work done is to safeguard and improve people's well-being, improve the living and working conditions of farmers and herdsmen on a priority basis, and raise the living standards of people of all ethnic groups. Effective steps need to be taken to prevent and crack down on infiltration and sabotage activities of separatist forces, strengthen unity among ethnic groups, and firmly safeguard national unification and stability in Tibet. Great efforts are required to carry forward the advanced socialist culture and to preserve, inherit and develop the fine tradition and culture of Tibet in order to foster the sense of common identity of all ethnic groups. And great efforts must be made to strengthen Party building, reinforce party leadership at the primary level, and enhance the creativity, cohesion and combat effectiveness of Party organizations.

The PLA garrison, PAPF units and law enforcement departments in Tibet are an important force driving leapfrog development and upholding long-term peace and stability in Tibet. They should always keep in mind the mission entrusted by the Party and people, faithfully fulfill their duties, and carry forward their fine tradition and work style. They should work to strengthen unity between the government and the army, between civilians and the armed forces, and between the police and the people, maintain and promote ethnic unity, and make new contributions to the development and stability of Tibet. x We believe that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the General Secretary, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Tibet will unswervingly uphold the guiding principle for Tibet-related work in the new era. They will stay united and work with solid steps and in an enterprising spirit to ensure leapfrog economic and social development, uphold national security and lasting peace and stability, raise the level of material and cultural life of people of all ethnic groups and maintain a sound ecological environment in Tibet. We believe that cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Tibet will work tirelessly for a new, socialist Tibet that is united, democratic, prosperous, culturally advanced and harmonious.

May the Tibet Autonomous Region enjoy prosperity and progress.

May people of all ethnic groups in Tibet enjoy happiness and harmony.

Long live the great unity of all ethnic groups in China.

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