The Starting Point

A resident of Khesum, who used to be a serf before democratic reform in 1959
An aerial view of Khesum on March 16
Children in Khesum board their kindergarten bus on March 27, 2018
The Tears of Serfs, a play on the abject lives of Tibetan serfs, is performed in Khesum on March 26, 2018
People in Khesum Village attend a ceremony marking the start of spring plowing on March 16

Khesum Village, of about 800 people in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, has a pioneer's place in history, as the first place where democratic reform in Tibet started.

On March 28, 1959, the Central Government announced the dissolution of the local government of Tibet, marking the end of the centuries-long feudal theocracy system in Tibet and a new start for the plateau region.

After democratic reform, the Peasants' Association of Khesum was established, and freed serfs were elected as chairs and members of the association.

In the 60 years since, Khesum has had a makeover. In 2017, all its residents were lifted out of poverty and in 2018, the per-capita disposable income of the village reached 19,735 yuan ($2,948), almost 99 times that of 1978.

(Photos by Xinhua News Agency)

Copyedited by Sudeshna Sarkar

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