Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng arrived in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, on Sunday, leading a central government delegation to attend festivities marking the 50th anniversary of the region's founding.

The 65-member delegation was greeted by local officials and about 800 local residents in festive attire at Gonggar Airport. They were presented with hadas, a typical Tibetan ceremonial white scarf, as a welcome greeting.

A huge banner reading "Warmly welcoming the central government delegation" was hanging at the airport gate and five-starred red flags and red lanterns were seen everywhere in the city.

The central delegation will attend a grand celebration ceremony in front of the symbolic Potala Palace on Sept. 8.

They will also bring presents to the Tibetan people, a government statement said, without going into detail. On 2005, central authorities sent a solar cooker to every farmer or herdsman household while celebrating the autonomous region' s 40th birthday.

The Tibet Autonomous Region was founded on Sept. 1, 1965, after the establishment of the regional People's Congress, the local legislature, by election. Endi

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