TIBET celebrated 70 years of peaceful liberation from reactionary rule today as officials highlighted developments in economic growth, literacy and life expectancy in the Chinese region.

Tens of thousands took part in the celebrations, with many gathering in the square in front of the Potala Palace in the capital Lhasa while the surrounding hills displayed a large message reading: “Long live the motherland.”

Chinese government spokesman Wang Yang described the liberation of Tibet by Mao Zedong in 1951 as “a major victory in the cause of liberation of the Chinese people and China’s reunification.