A delegation of the Chinese central authorities left Beijing for Lhasa Saturday morning to attend celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The autonomous region, which was founded on Sept.1, 1965, will hold an array of activities for celebrations in the autumn.

The delegation, led by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), consists of 52 people.

Deputy heads of the delegation include Zhou Yongkang, member ofthe Political Bureau and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Raidi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Liu Yandong, CPPCC vice chairwoman andhead of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Two vice chairmen of the CPPCC, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme and Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai, and Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the Chinese PLA General Staff also serve as deputy heads of the delegation.

The delegation also includes officials from relevant government departments.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2005)