Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme

Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme was a Tibetan aristocrat and politician who served in Tibet’s government before holding senior positions in the People’s Republic of China.

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Dalai Lama: The title of the spiritual and political leaders of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Ngapoi served in the Tibetan government during the 14th Dalai Lama’s early rule.
Tibetan Army: The military force maintained by the Tibetan government before the 1950s. Ngapoi’s service as a Tibetan official included responsibility for forces opposing the People’s Liberation Army.
Tibet Autonomous Region: A province-level autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China established in 1965. Ngapoi held senior posts in the regional government after its establishment.
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference: A political advisory body in the People’s Republic of China that includes representatives from parties and social groups. Ngapoi served as a vice-chairman, giving him a prominent national-level role.
Lhalu Tsewang Dorje: A Tibetan aristocrat and government official who served as governor of Chamdo. Like Ngapoi, Lhalu held senior office in Tibet before the 1950s political transition.
Battle of Chamdo: A 1950 military campaign in which the People’s Liberation Army defeated Tibetan forces in eastern Tibet. Ngapoi was captured during the campaign and became a key figure in subsequent negotiations.
People’s Liberation Army: The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China, founded in 1927. Its 1950 advance into eastern Tibet preceded Ngapoi’s negotiations with the central government.
National People's Congress: The national legislature of the People’s Republic of China. Ngapoi served as a vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
Zhang Jingwu: A Chinese Communist official who served as the central government’s representative in Tibet. Zhang worked with Ngapoi during the incorporation of Tibet into the People’s Republic of China.
Seventeen Point Agreement: The 1951 agreement between the Central People’s Government of China and representatives of Tibet. Ngapoi led the Tibetan delegation that signed the agreement in Beijing.