September 1965 saw the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region. In 1984, the Central Government promulgated the PRC Law on National Regional Autonomy, making this a State policy under which areas where the ethnic minorities live in compact communities enjoy autonomy in the political, economic and cultural fields. It also contains stipulations related to their relations with the Central Government. This provides legal guarantee for the Tibetans to enjoy full autonomy.

According to the PRC Law on National Regional Autonomy, the Tibet Autonomous Region enjoys full autonomy in such fields as locally-related legislation, use of Tibetan language, personnel management and exploitation of natural resources. The Tibetans take an active part in local and State affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the law. This is why Tibet can achieve such a big leap-forward in social and economic development.