| In 2009, the regional legislature established March 28 as a day to commemorate the emancipation of the 1 million serfs, which represented 90 percent of the region's population at that time. On Thursday, various celebrations were held across Tibet. In Lhasa, over 1,500 people attended a gala at the Lhasa Public Cultural and Sports Center on Thursday evening to commemorate the democratic reform and the great changes that have taken place in Tibet in the following 60 years. "People in Tibet supported the democratic reform," Phutsering, who joined the PLA in 1959 and took part in the emancipation of serfs in Xigaze City, said at the gala. "From the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951 to the democratic reform in 1959, people in Tibet made their own decisions." A grand celebration, including raising the national flag, singing the national anthem and watching performances, was held at Kesum Village in Shannan city . After watching a drama titled "Tears of Serfs," directed and performed by the villagers, a senior villager Dawa said, "Before the democratic reform, serf owners beat us up at will and did not give us food. What a good life we have now." In Lhozhag County, more than 500 Tibetan people in traditional Tibetan costumes holding national flags attended a celebration ceremony. "Sixty years ago, the PLA rescued us from the oppression of the serf owners and sent us food and tea," said Chojor, 68. "From then on, we had hope for our lives." Now, Chojor leads a happy life, and his family's total income reached 80,000 yuan last year. "China is boosting the construction of well-off villages along the country's border. We are building a new house, and we will move into it in September," said Chojor. | 
News