Flag raising ceremonies mark 51st anniversary of emancipation of Tibetan serfs English.news.cn 2010-03-28 17:43:48 FeedbackPrintRSS

LHASA -Flag raising ceremonies were held across Tibet Autonomous Region Sunday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the emancipation of serfs.

Photo taken on March 28, 2010 shows the Potala Palace during the celebration of the Serfs Emancipation Day in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Nearly 3,000 people gathered at the Potala Palace celebrating the Serfs Emancipation Day in the form of raising flag and playing national anthem. [Xinhua]

The national flag was hoisted against the backdrop of the grand Potala Palace at about 10 a.m. as more than 3,000 representatives from all walks of life sang the national anthem.

"There is an overt contrast between today's equality among Tibetan people and the old Tibet where human rights were bloodily abused," said Party chief in Lhasa, Qin Yizhi, after the flag was raised.

"The democratic reform abolished serfdom and allowed Tibetan people to enjoy legal rights and interests. We held the ceremony here in an effort to remember the past, cherish the present and work for the future," he said at the ceremony that lasted about 20 minutes.