Resident representatives present hada - a piece of white silk used as a greeting gift among Tibetan people - while attending the gathering at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, Tibet. [Photo by Daqiong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A grand gathering was held in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday morning to mark the 70th anniversary of the region's peaceful liberation.

Around 20,000 people from walks of life, including officials, urban and rural residents, military personnel, monks, students and representatives from the central government, were in attendance.

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) was signed, officially proclaiming the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

The national flag of the People's Republic of China was raised at the beginning of the celebration, and all the participants sang the national anthem.

Congratulatory letters from the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Military Commission were read during the event.

Wangchen Gyime Gonbo, a middle school student from Lhasa participating in the event, said he felt honored to participate in such a big gathering. He added this was the first such gathering he had attended in his life, and the historical event reminded him to work hard on his studies and made him feel encouraged to contribute to the country in the future.

"May our country prosper," he said. "People of the region will enjoy a better life in the future."

Student representatives take part in a grand gathering at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, Tibet on Thursday morning to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet. [Photo by Daqiong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Song Qingfeng, a teacher from Lhasa No. 7 Middle School, said with Tibet's changes over the past decades, she finds improvements in people's livelihoods most impressive.

"I think people of Tibet enjoy a better and wealthier life today, our school kids no longer have to worry about food or their studies," she said, adding she was pleased to have the opportunity to be a teacher in such a prosperous era.

Tsetan Norbu, a resident of Lhasa, said Tibet has been progressing dramatically since its peaceful liberation, and such progress is reflected in daily life.

"We enjoy upgraded housing, better medical services and an improved livelihood," he said. "With my best Tibetan greeting of Tashi Delek, I wish all people of the region will continue to enjoy a better life, and may all of them enjoy better health."

Tenzin, a representative of Lhasa residents, addressed the event, saying he was born in the socialist new Tibet under the red flag, and he has witnessed breathtaking changes in Tibet over the past several decades.

"I am very honored and pleased to be invited to be participated in this grand ceremony today, and I wish the Communist Party of China will prosper more in the future, and a brighter future for China and the people of Tibet," Tenzin said.

"I know without the Communist Party of China, all these positive changes in Tibet would not have happened."

A student representative holds the national flag while attending a grand gathering at the Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, Tibet on Thursday morning to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet. [Photo by Zhao Yao / for chinadaily.com.cn]

Some Tibetan women pose for a photo at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, Tibet, on Thursday morning, while attending the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet. [Photo by Daqiong/for chinadaily.com.cn]