A commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet People's Congress was convened in Lhasa, Aug.17.[Photo/China Tibet Online]

LHASA, Aug.19(China Tibet Online) On Aug.17, a conference in commemoration of the 50th anniversary the establishment of the Tibet People's Congress was convened, marking a historic leap of the social system in Tibet.

Chen Quanguo, secretary of the Party committee of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), said in his speech that over the past 50 years, the Tibet People's Congress has consistently upheld performing their functions according to law, serving the overall economic and social development, conscientiously implemented the legislative power of the regional ethnic autonomous areas, and developed amendments to 302 local laws and regulations by adhering to scientific and democratic legislation. It has firmly grasped the outstanding problems which impacted and restricted economic and social development, carried out the law and work supervision, and promoted administration according to law and impartial administration of justice. Deputies to the people's congresses at different levels have actively reflected public opinions and gave full play to the role. The people's congresses at all levels have gradually improved the organizational structure, enhanced the ability to perform their duties. Hence the people's congressional system and the system of regional ethnic autonomy have showed vitality in the snow-covered region.

Chen Quanguo stressed that the people's congressional system is an important component of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and it is also the fundamental political system supporting national governance system and capacity. Currently, Tibet has entered a new stage in which social situation sustains harmonious and stable, economic and social development sustains healthy, people's living standards continues to improve, and ecological environment continues to be good.

At present, the number of Tibetan and other ethnic minorities accounts for 93 percent of the deputies to the people’s congresses at all levels which is more than 34,000, and 71.43 percent of the total cadres. For the people of all ethnic groups, the right to equally participate in the management of state affairs and local affairs, the right to know and supervise is powerfully guaranteed.

In September 1965, the First Session of the Tibet People's Congress system was officially established, the exercise of regional ethnic autonomy system and the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region achieved a historic leap in social system in Tibet. The Tibetan people completely ended the brutal oppression of feudal serfdom, and entered a new era of being the masters of their own country. Thirty-six years ago, at the Second of the Third Session of Tibet People's Congress, the Standing Committee of the Tibet People's Congress was elected, which is the nation's first provincial-level people's congress standing committee.