Beijing, August 27:

A delegation of over 50 Chinese government officials arrived in Tibet today for events marking the 40th anniversary of China’s formation of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, state media said. The visit was bound to upset Tibetan activists abroad who complain that Chinese government controls are damaging Tibet’s religious institutions and eroding its unique culture.

Communist troops marched into Tibet in 1950. Beijing says it has been part of China for centuries and has spent decades trying to suppress pro-independence sentiment. The Chinese

team is led by Jia Qinglin.