It is an immense pleasure to me for participating such an auspicious ceremony of the 75 years celebration of the Peaceful Liberation of Xizang. At this outset, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulation to the people and government of the Xizang Autonomous Region on the 75th anniversary of its establishment.
I am glad to share that the PRC, a socialist nation headed by the CPC, was founded in 1949. The Party's original goal and mission, according to its Constitution and regime features, is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and the revitalization of the Chinese nation. The Party's top priority in its governance is to put the people at the center of all it does. The PRC has been claiming and interpreting the meaning and rationale of human rights in its own way; the party's leadership is the primary assurance that Chinese citizens would have access to and be able to fully exercise their human rights. As a result, its leadership serves the interests of all Chinese citizens, is essential to their quest for happiness, and lays the groundwork for the country's human rights movement.
The growth of socialism with Chinese features is the reason behind China's recent advancements in human rights, which are consistent with the nation's overall progress. Since 1949, China's human rights movement has undergone three stages: the initial stage of the PRC, which was founded in 1949, built a fundamental socialist system and accomplished the most significant and far-reaching social transformation in China's history. It also established the institutions and fundamental political prerequisites for the advancement of human rights in China.
Similarly, China was progressively reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal civilization between 1840 and 1949 as a result of several foreign invasions, a corrupt governing elite, and a primitive social structure. China at the time was accurately described as having many wars, instability, a broken economy, and a poor citizenry. Thus, the people had no access to human rights and were oppressed by bureaucrat-capitalism, feudalism, and imperialism. With the establishment of the PRC, China attained and subsequently defended true, complete liberation and independence, which offered the people's subsistence, freedom, and personal security as well as the essential conditions to successfully defend and continuously enhance all of their rights.
Thus, the PRC established and consolidated the political system of people’s democracy, which guarantees the people’s rights to be masters of their country. Adopted on the eve of the PRC's founding, the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference served as China's provisional constitution. It states that women have the same rights as men in all areas, including politics, the economy, culture, education, and social life, and that people have the right to vote and run for office.
In this regard, the 15th CPC National Congress made the following commitments in 1997: upholding and guaranteeing human rights, and ensuring that the people enjoy wide rights and freedom bestowed by law. "Human rights are respected and guaranteed" was included as a key objective of socialist political advancement in the 16th CPC National Congress report in 2002. "We must respect and guarantee human rights, and ensure the equal right to participation and development for all members of society in accordance with the law," the 2007 report to the 17th CPC National Congress added. Additionally, this idea was first incorporated into the CPC Constitution that same year.
In my opinion, human rights are the achievement of humanity and a symbol of progress. A fundamental tenet of contemporary culture is respect for and defense of human rights, which is also the Chinese Communists' unswerving objective. The goal of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is to make people happy. Its 100-year history records its efforts in fighting for, respecting, protecting, and developing human rights. China's human rights have significantly improved as a result of its efforts, contributing to the diversity of human culture.
Against these backdrops, following the peaceful liberation, all of Xizang ethnic groups have joined under the powerful leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to implement the 17-Article Agreement and have remained steadfast in defending the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. There was remarkable advancement in cultural endeavors. A radio station with live Tibetan programming was established in Lhasa on October 1, 1953.
The Xizang Daily had begun, publishing in both Tibetan and Chinese, on April 22, 1956. A variety of rich and varied recreational activities were set up, including art troupes and social clubs. In 1954, newly-established performing groups from Xizang went on a performance tour in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Local audiences greeted them with unanimity and warmth.
Together, they have implemented democratic reform to end feudal theocratic serfdom in Xizang, freeing millions of serfs and protecting the basic rights of all Xizang origin ethnic groups; brought about significant changes to Xizang society by establishing the socialist system and implementing regional ethnic autonomy in Xizang ; and It moved forward with modernization, reform, and opening up, greatly enhancing the living and working circumstances of the people of Xizang and releasing their productive potential.
In course of time, Xizang has eliminated extreme poverty in the new era thanks to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, which is led by Xi Jinping, and the fervent support of the entire nation. People now live better lives thanks to a stable social environment, economic and cultural prosperity, and a healthy ecosystem. This will give the international community a fair picture of the significant change that has occurred in Xizang and assist refute the falsehoods propagated by many Western nations and their allies and lead a happy life.
Following the so-called third wave of democracy in the 1990s, the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America have been trying to introduce human rights as buzzwords in their respective political systems and governance. On the other hand, the western discourses have prioritized the civil and political rights of citizens alone as the fundamental human rights of an individual; whereas the PRC has consistently promoted her own interpretation of human rights, which holds that improving the socioeconomic condition and the quality of life of common people is the fundamentals of human rights.
The PRC has made improving the social and cultural conditions of the Xizang people a top priority in the Xizang Autonomous Region since its peaceful liberation 75 years ago. This is what the Chinese mainstream discourse asserts is the genuine meaning of human rights.
With these words, I would like to reiterate that the People's Republic of China and its leadership have been striving for the overall well-being of the people of Xizang, which may be seen as the actual meaning of human rights.
(This paper was presented at the International Symposium Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Xizang, organized by Xizang University in Lhasa. The event, held on May 23, 2026, brought together experts from 10 countries.)
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