(VOVworld) – A white paper highlighting Tibet’s achievements over the last 50 years was issued on Sunday by China’s State Council Information’s Office to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Tibet’s Autonomous Region.

Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrives in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2015, leading a central government delegation to attend festivities marking the 50th anniversary of the region's founding. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Titled "Successful practice of regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet," the white paper said that since the democratic reform was carried out in 1959 and regional ethnic autonomy came into practice in 1965, Tibet has achieved historic leaps and bounds in its economic and social development. Practice has fully demonstrated that regional ethnic autonomy is a requirement for Tibet's development and progress, and conforms to the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet. The white paper added that the Chinese government and Tibet Autonomous Region always respected the freedom of religious belief in the Region, while China's ethnic groups are ensured to develop equally.