Beijing: China on Monday celebrated the 60th anniversary of "peaceful liberation of Tibet", asserting that the Himalayan region was historically part of the country.
A crowd of about 5,000 people from all walks of life gathered in front of Potala Palace (previously the official residence of the Dalai Lama) to mark the "special date that opened a new chapter in Tibet`s history", state-run `Xinhua` reported.
A grand flag-raising ceremony was held with the entire crowd joining in a chorus of the national anthem, it said.
"It`s a historic date for all the Tibetans," Qiangba Puncog, Chairman of Tibet`s regional legislature said.
"It opened a new chapter in Tibet`s history... and ushered in a new period of national unity and rapid development," he said.
Every year China celebrates this day as Tibet liberation day to mark the end of "serf rule" headed by the Dalai Lama in 1951.