Xi arrives in Lhasa for celebrations of 60th founding anniversary of Xizang autonomous region

LHASA -- President Xi Jinping, who led a central delegation, arrived in Lhasa, capital of Xizang autonomous region, on Wednesday, to attend activities in celebration of the region's 60th founding anniversary. This is the first time in the history of the Communist Party of China and the country that President Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has led a central delegation to attend celebrations of the region's founding anniversary. This speaks volumes about the importance the CPC Central Committee attaches to Xizang work and its great care for the officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and head of the central delegation, together with Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, arrived on the same flight.

In early autumn, a refreshing breeze swept across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Red flags were flying at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport amid a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.

At around noon, the plane carrying Xi landed at Gonggar Airport. People from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in Xizang waiting on the tarmac greeted him with warm applause and cheers. Xi stepped out of the cabin and waved to the crowd.

Wang Junzheng, secretary of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee; Yan Jinhai, director of the standing committee of the regional people's congress; Gama Cedain, chairman of the regional government; and Liu Jiang, secretary of the leading Party members group of the regional committee of the CPPCC, were awaiting at the foot of the ramp. As Xi descended from the ramp, Wang Junzheng presented him with a hada scarf, a ceremonial white scarf symbolizing goodwill and blessings, while ceremonial staff offered an auspicious chema box and barley wine. Representatives from all ethnic groups, dressed in their festive attire, performed joyous traditional dances to welcome Xi. They waved red flags and multicolored bouquets while conveying their heartfelt best wishes to him.

Lhasa, an ancient city permeated with a festive atmosphere, was decorated with colorful flags on both sides of the main streets from the airport to the hotel. People from all ethnic groups, waving red flags and holding hadas, cheered simultaneously to express their welcome and gratitude. Opening the car window, Xi waved to the people along the road.

Also arriving on the same plane were deputy heads of the central delegation. They included Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee; Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-premier of the State Council; Losang Jamcan, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee; Hu Chunhua, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee; and Zhang Shengmin, a member of the Central Military Commission. Accompanying the delegation to the events, He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-premier of the State Council; and Wang Xiaohong, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and state councilor, also arrived on the same plane.

Other members of the central delegation also arrived at the same time. They included leading officials from relevant central Party and state departments, military units, and provinces and cities involved in the pairing assistance to Xizang.