On May 23, 1951, an agreement on measures for the peaceful liberation of Xizang was signed in Beijing by the Central Government and the Xizang local government. This formally marked the breaking free of Xizang from the fetters of invading imperialism as well as the repressive rule of the Kuomintang regime, shortly after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Under the system of feudal serfdom in old Xizang, the aristocracy, local government officials and the upper-ranking lamas of major monasteries, comprising less than 5 percent of the population, monopolized nearly all of the land, livestock and other means of production. The other 95 percent, as serfs and enslaved laborers, had no personal freedom or basic human rights, being contemptuously described as "talking tools."

In 1959, Xizang carried out democratic reforms, abolishing the feudal serfdom that had lasted for over 1,000 years. Some 1 million serfs burned their bonds of servitude and, for the first time, gained land, livestock and dignity. In 1965, Xizang Autonomous Region was established, and the system of regional ethnic autonomy was implemented. Under this system, people of all ethnic groups in Xizang enjoy the political rights of managing both national and regional affairs.

Since its peaceful liberation 75 years ago, the economy of Xizang has achieved leapfrog growth. In the early days, the region had virtually no modern industry. In 2025, its GDP totaled 303.19 billion yuan ($44 billion). By the end of 2019, all of Xizang's people had bid farewell to absolute poverty, a year ahead of China as a whole. Today, the region has formed a modern industrial system featuring specialty agriculture and animal husbandry, clean energy, green mining, culture and tourism as well as the digital economy.

It has built a comprehensive air, road and rail network and power, telecom and broadband facilities covering all of the region's villages, facilitating access to e-commerce and livestreaming sales. People's overall wellbeing has improved, with life expectancy increasing from 35.5 years to 72.5 years. It has established a modern education system covering all stages from preschool to higher education. A healthcare service system and a social security system are also in place.

The people of Xizang are now on the path to building a new, modern Xizang that is united, prosperous, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.