On the morning of March 28, the weather was fine in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. More than 1,000 people from various ethnic groups and sectors of society gathered in the Potala Palace Square to hold a grand ceremony of raising the national flag and singing the national anthem to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the liberation of serfs in Tibet.

63 years ago, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Tibet launched a democratic reform, which completely abolished the feudal serfdom system. For the first time, the serfs gained the right to be the masters of their own lives.

27-year-old Tsenten Yangkyi stood in the crowd with a smile on her face in her festive attire, waiting for the national flag to be raised. She said that she had watched the ceremony to commemorate the liberation of serfs on TV before. This was the first time she attended the ceremony, and she felt a sense of pride like never before.

"I heard from my parents that in old Tibet, the whole families were serfs. They started feeding cattle for the serf owners since they were young, and lived in a cowshed and struggled every day to survive. Compared with the past, now is heaven, while the past was hell. Everyone should cherish today’s happy life and be grateful to the government.” said Tashi Wangdu, a 63-year-old retiree.

Datsi, a staff member of the Lugu Community in Barkhor Street, said that the community residents were highly motivated when they learned that they had the opportunity to participate in the ceremony. Today, this community has Han, Hui and other ethnicities. Everyone lives together, helping each other, enjoying a happy life.

"My parents gave me a sweet family, and I cherish the happy life now. We are very fortunate. Girls can go to school and live the life they want. My dream is to study hard and get admitted to the best university in China, and repay the society in the future.” said Dekyi, a student from Lhasa Middle School.