Chairman Mao Zedong (R) and the 10th Panchen Lama (L) [Photo/Agencies]

This year is the 50th anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region. In the past 50 years, the central government has paid close attention to Tibet and offered much support. Now let’s look back at the exchanges between Chairman Mao Zedong and the 10th Panchen Lama.

When the new China was founded on the 1st October, 1949, Mao Zedong received a congratulatory telegram from the 10th Panchen Lama, who was in Qinghai: "the Northwest has already been liberated and the Central People’s Government was established; Tibet’s liberation is just around the corner. " On 23rd November of the same year, Mao replied: "I was delighted to receive your message from the 1st October. Tibetan people love the motherland and oppose foreign incursion; they were not satisfied with the policies of the reactionary Kuomintang and are willing to become members of the new, unified, prosperous and ethnically equal Chinese family. The Central People’s Government and the People’s Liberation Army will be able to satisfy the aspirations of the Tibetan people. I hope that you and Tibetan patriots will fight for the liberation of Tibet and the unity of Han and Tibetan people." 

On 22nd April 1951, Ngabo Ngawang Jigme, acting as chief plenipotentiary for Tibet, arrived in Beijing for peace talks. The 10th Panchen Lama and his party arrived on 27th April. On 1st May, Mao Zedong met with the 10th Panchen Lama and Ngabo at Tiananmen Gate; it was the first time the 10th Panchen Lama had met Mao. Afterwards, through joint efforts from the Central People’s Government representatives, representatives from Tibet’s local government and the 10th Panchen Lama, they finally concluded the "Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local government of Tibet on Measures for Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" (The 17-Article Agreement). On 24th May, Mao Zedong once again met with the 10th Panchen Lama and his party. The Panchen Lama presented Mao with a banner, written in both Tibetan and Chinese saying, "The great savior of China’s ethnic groups", a golden shield, a bronze longevity Buddha, a silver mantra, Tibetan incense and other valuable gifts.

In May 1951, shortly after attending the signing of "The 17-Article Agreement", the 10th Panchen Lama went via Qinghai’s Kumbum Monastery on his return to Tibet. Mao was very concerned about the Panchen’s return to Tibet. In early 1950, shortly after the liberation of Chamdo, the central government instructed the Northwest Bureau to have forces ready to escort the 10th Panchen Lama into Tibet. On 6th October that year, Mao stated in his written instructions that the following must be delivered in his name to the Panchen Lama: a yellow satin kasaya, brick tea, photos signed by Mao and other gifts. In early December, the Panchen Lama sent Mao a telegram saying that he is about to return to Tibet from Xining. He also expressed his willingness to adhere to the agreement, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and Central People’s Government, and through cooperation with the Dalai Lama.

On 13th December, Mao replied: "Thank you for your message. I fully agree with your aspiration to uphold the agreement, drive out imperialism in Tibet, consolidate national defense and fight to build a new Tibet, all under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and Central People’s Government, and through close cooperation with the Dalai Lama." During this time, Mao and the 10th Panchen Lama met up twice and exchanged messages or letters up to six times.
After returning to Tibet, the 10th Panchen Lama worked hard. On 3rd November 1952, he reported the last two months work to Mao, to which Mao affirmed on 4th December. On 1st August 1953, the 10th Panchen Lama sent another letter and gifts to Mao.

In April 1954, Mao said in his reply: "To know that you are in good health and always striving for unity makes me happy." He also gave the Panchen Lama a milk separator, a megaphone and a wireless radio set. In September, the 14th Dalai Lama and the 10th Panchen Lama, as representatives of Tibet, attended the first National People’s Congress in Beijing.

Historically, the 5th Dalai Lama, 13th Dalai Lama, 6th Panchen Lama and 9th Panchen Lama have all been to Beijing, but this was the first time that the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama went together. On 11th September, Mao cordially received the two Living Buddhas at Zhongnanhai and repeatedly encouraged them to "display unity, work hard and be bold in your work; work for Tibet and work for the country".

On 9th March 1955, Mao personally visited the 10th Panchen Lama at his home where they had a long conversation.

Mao said: "Every ethnic group should have their own leaders, and it is wonderful for Tibet to have two great leaders, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama." On hearing Mao referring to him as a "leader", the 10th Panchen Lama was shocked thinking he must have misheard. Mao then repeated this sentence, which was too much to bear for the Panchen Lama, who said to Mao: "I’m not a leader, only Chairman Mao is our great leader." Mao replied earnestly: "You are a leader! In Tibet, one can’t just shout ‘long live Chairman Mao! Long live Zhu De!’ One must also shout ‘long live the Dalai Lama! Long live the Panchen Lama!’" Mao added: "Yesterday I said to the Dalai Lama that my salary isn’t substantial but my expenses are. There isn’t much left once I’ve smoked, drank tea and bought some books. I have no parting gift for you, but send you these words of encouragement instead: unity leads to progress and development." Afterwards, "unity leads to progress and development" became the central government’s guiding principle for work in Tibet.

In April 1956, the Tibet Autonomous Region Preparatory Committee was officially established. From the peaceful liberation of Tibet to the founding of the Preparatory Committee, Mao exchanged six telegrams or letters with the 10th Panchen Lama. When in Beijing, apart from the general meeting, the Dalai and the Panchen Lama also held a number of talks with Mao about the development of Tibet.

Since the establishment of the Preparatory Committee, apart from exchanging greetings on holidays, Mao and the 10th Panchen Lama also met in Beijing three times to discuss the development of Tibet on 7th May and 22nd October in 1959 and 23rd January in 1961. Mao told the Panchen Lama: "We trust you and people working with you." The development of Tibet is largely attributed to the mutual trust between Mao and the 10th Panchen Lama.

In September 1959, under the guidance of the 10th Panchen Lama, the Tibet Autonomous Region Preparatory Committee passed three documents concerning the abolition of serfdom and land reform. By May 1961, democratic reform in Tibet had already seen significant progress – 90 percent of serfs had taken control of their own fate and started to lead happy lives. In September 1965, Tibet Autonomous Region was officially established, marking Tibet entering a new development era.

Chairman Mao Zedong (R) and the 10th Panchen Lama (L) in April 1951 [Photo/Agencies]

Chairman Mao Zedong (M) meets the 14th Dalai Lama (R) and the 10th Panchen Lama (L) [Photo/Agencies]