China’s top political adviser hails party leadership in Tibet anniversary speech

China’s top political adviser has stressed the Communist Party’s “strong leadership” in a speech reviewing decades of achievements to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet autonomous region.

Wang Huning, also China’s No 4 official, said that since the 18th party congress in 2012, under President Xi Jinping’s guidance and comprehensive plan, “Tibet has entered its best period of development, experiencing the greatest changes and bringing the most tangible benefits to people of all ethnic groups”.

Tibet has achieved “historic progress” in poverty reduction, social development, and ethnic unity, benefiting its people, Wang told a gathering of more than 20,000 people at the Potala Palace in Lhasa on Thursday morning.

Major national projects and policies have transformed the region, leading to improved living standards and a “vibrant, modern socialist Tibet”, he said.

“This fully demonstrates the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and highlights the significant political advantages of our socialist system.”

Wang’s comments were made during a ceremony whose audience included students, soldiers and officials. President Xi Jinping was seated at the centre of the podium in Potala Palace Square, which was decorated with national flags and colourful banners, CCTV footage showed.