This photo taken on March 28, 2026 shows the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region. [Photo/Xinhua]

People from all walks of life attended a flag-raising ceremony at the Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, capital of the Xizang autonomous region, on Saturday morning, to mark the region's 18th Serfs Emancipation Day.

Since 2009, March 28 has been celebrated in the region as Serfs' Emancipation Day. The annual commemoration recalls the democratic reforms of 1959 in the region that ended feudal serfdom.

Recently, various activities have been held across the region to mark the event.

Karma Tsetan, chairman of the regional government, delivered a televised speech on Friday night to mark the 67th anniversary of the emancipation of a million serfs in Xizang.

He noted in the speech that 67 years ago, a great democratic reform swept across Xizang with irresistible momentum, completely putting an end to the dark, cruel, barbaric, and backward theocratic feudal serfdom.

People pose for photos at the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Today, people in Xizang enjoy all human rights in a full, effective, and genuine way, which stands in stark contrast to the miserable situation of serfs in the old days, who lived in constant fear and had no dignity at all," Karma Tsetan said.

According to Karma Tsetan, the average life expectancy before 1959 was only 35.5 years, and four out of every 10 serf children did not survive childhood.

At present, the average life expectancy in Xizang has risen to 72.5 years, he said.

He said since the democratic reform, people have lived a dignified, decent and happy new life. Children now enjoy schooling and grow up healthy, young people devote themselves to building their hometown and pursuing their dreams, and the elderly spend their years in peace and comfort.

Tsewang, a 71-year-old man from Lhasa, said that although he did not experience the sufferings of old Xizang, he learned from the elders about the tragic plight of ordinary people in the past.

"People's living standards in Xizang have been continuously improved since the democratic reform, and the happy life today is hard-won," Tsewang said.

A performance is staged in celebration of the Serfs' Emancipation Day at a park in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

People watch a performance in celebration of the Serfs' Emancipation Day at a park in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

A performance is staged in celebration of the Serfs' Emancipation Day at a park in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

A performance is staged in celebration of the Serfs' Emancipation Day at a park in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

A flag-raising ceremony is held to celebrate the Serfs' Emancipation Day at the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, March 28, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]