Former serf witnesses tremendous development of China's Xizang

Dawa Phentok and his son-in-law arrange butter in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. Dawa Phentok, an 80-year-old man from Charing Village of Gyantse County, Xigaze, endured relentless labor, hunger, and abuse in old Xizang before the age of thirteen.

In Dawa's memory, the house of his family in those days was merely a small, windowless earthen hut, filled with smoke and soot, serving as both bedroom and kitchen.

After his father died in an accident when Dawa was eight, he was forced to take over his father's labor duties.

"In old Xizang, I never had anything but ragged clothes to wear," Dawa recalled. He was once beaten by a serf owner for eating peas from a field out of hunger.

On March 28, 1959, people in Xizang launched a democratic reform that ended the region's feudal serfdom.

Dawa joined the Communist Party of China in 1972. He was also elected as a deputy to the 7th National People's Congress and grew into a pioneer in building his hometown.

Dawa has witnessed the tremendous development of Xizang. Today, he lives with his family in a spacious, two-story Tibetan-style house, free from worries about food and clothing. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok is pictured at home in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok displays a farm tool he once used in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This photo taken on March 12, 2026 shows a portrait of Dawa Phentok in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok drinks butter tea at home in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok waters flowers in his yard in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok (2nd L) and his family pose for a photo at home in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Dawa Phentok is pictured at home in Charing Village, Gyantse County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)