TIMELINE: Key dates in modern China-Tibet relations

(Reuters) - Chinese troops moved in this week to tackle unrest in ethnic Tibetan enclaves in its western provinces after violent protests flared against Chinese rule in the Tibetan capital Lhasa on Friday.

Following is a chronology of some of the main events in modern China-Tibet relations.

Oct 1950: Chinese People's Liberation Army troops march into Tibet, one year after Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong wins civil war and establishes People's Republic of China.

Sept 1954: Chairman Mao meets Dalai Lama.

March 1959: Tibetans stage abortive uprising in which thousands are killed after reforms are introduced to end centuries of feudalism. Tibet's god-king, the Dalai Lama, flees to India with an estimated 80,000 followers. He establishes a "government-in-exile" in Dharamsala but no country recognizes it.

1965: Tibet Autonomous Region formally established.

1966: China's Cultural Revolution begins. Tibetan Red Guards close monasteries in Tibet, smash Buddhist statues and force monks and nuns to return to secular life.

1972: U.S. President Richard Nixon's China visit ends program in which Central Intelligence Agency trained Tibetans who fought guerrilla war against People's Liberation Army in Tibet.

1979: Rapprochement begins with Dalai Lama's brother, Gyalo Thondup, visiting China at invitation of paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. Trips not publicized in media.

March 1989: Martial law imposed in Lhasa after days of rioting sparked by January death of the 10th Panchen Lama, most senior figure in Tibetan Buddhism after Dalai Lama.

October 1989: Dalai Lama is awarded Nobel Peace Prize.

May 1990: Lhasa lifts martial law. Government-in-exile headed by Dalai Lama disbands to pave way for democracy, announcing elections for 1991.

August 1993: Dalai Lama says at rare news conference he is fighting for Tibet's political autonomy, not independence.

1994: Dalai Lama suspends dialogue with China due to lack of progress.

May 1995: Dalai Lama declares 6-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as reincarnation of late 10th Panchen Lama.

December 1995: India-based Tibetans protest Beijing's choice of a 6-year-old boy, Gyaincain Norbu, as the 11th Panchen Lama, considering him a "fake".