Past and present of Tibet

The "50th Anniversary of Democratic Reforms in Tibet Exhibition" recently opened to the public free of charge at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities.

With a large number of photographs, objects, documents, videos and sculptures, the exhibition shows the last 50 years of development, where Tibet has moved from poverty to affluence, dictatorship to democracy and seclusion to opening-up.

The exhibition has a lot of sculptures which show the contrast between the way landlords and serfs used to live and democratic reforms that freed one million Tibetan serfs from exploitation and repression.

Tibetan people celebrated liberation by making a bonfire of land indenture contracts, usury bills and serf ownership documents.

A new house was also decorated by Tibetan farmers and herders to celebrate Tibetan New Year.

"I am deeply touched by these pictures. Tibet has gone through great changes during the past 50 years. People's living conditions have changed a lot," said a visitor.

Speaking of Dalai clique's secessionist activities, many visitors expressed their indignation and voiced their support for the unification of China.

The central government has contributed a lot to Tibet's development, but the Dalai clique … is so inhumane, said another visitor.

At the exhibition site, the Tibetan craftsmen create butter sculptures and draw Tangka.

The exhibition is scheduled for 40 days and ends on April 10.