A total of 229 paintings and pieces of calligraphy of celebrities were auctioned yesterday for 1.25 million yuan to aid the Tibet Development Foundation.

The auction was co-sponsored by the Tibet Development Foundation and Tibetan Xueyuan Auction Company. Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme, vice chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, China's top advisory body, attended the auction and expressed his thanks on behalf of Tibetans to those supporting and assisting Tibet's development.

He also said, "Fifty years ago, Tibet achieved peaceful liberation under the Communist Party of China's policy on ethnic groups. Tibet has scored tremendous achievements and experienced sweeping changes in the past 50 years. Without the selfless support of the people across the country, Tibet would not have done so."

The paintings and calligraphy auctioned are authentic works and were donated in 1991 by celebrities in support of Tibet's construction.

(Xinhua 05/21/2001)