Although China is holding large festivities to mark 70 years of its authoritarian rule in Tibet, the Tibetan people themselves have no reason to celebrate, the International Campaign for Tibet said today.

China is organizing a series of events for Aug. 19, 2021 in celebration of the 70th anniversary of its so-called “peaceful liberation of Tibet.” A 22-member delegation from Beijing—led by Wang Yang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—arrived today, Aug. 18, in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, for the events.

In a press conference on Aug. 17, Zhao Huinian, deputy secretary-general of the Tibet Autonomous Region Party Committee and member of the Office of the Leading Group for the 70th Anniversary Celebration of Tibet’s Peaceful Liberation, said Wang’s delegation will “present washing machines to farmers and herdsmen, and present souvenirs such as medical and health kits to cadres and employees, which fully reflects the special support for work in Tibet, care and concern for cadres and masses of all ethnic groups in Tibet from Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.”

The celebrations will take place in the square in front of the Potala Palace, the traditional winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Authorities have already announced the closure of the Potala to the public today and tomorrow. Ten major roads in Lhasa are also being closed not only to traffic, but also to pedestrians from 4 am Aug. 19 until the end of the ceremony.

Read the full report here.