It's been 50 years of untold suffering for Tibetan people

Thubten Samphel, spokesman for the Tibetan government in exile

According to China, it will mark the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet and be dedicated to the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

But Thubten Samphel, a spokesman for the Tibetan Government exiled in Dharamsala, India, said the monument would be an insult.

The momument will be the first of its kind at the palace

"That's not appropriate because the Potala Palace has special meaning for Tibetan people," he said.

"For the Chinese Government to install a monument in the Potala Palace will not go down well with the Tibetan people.

"They may see this as bringing liberation for Tibet but from Tibetan people's perspective, it's been 50 years of untold suffering for Tibetan people.

"To have this humiliation enshrined in the Potala Palace is a daily reminder of the humiliation for Tibetan people."

Political building

China seized control of Tibet in 1950 and tried to legitimise its rule in 1951 with an agreement which the exiled Tibetan Government does not accept.

The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959

It is thought the monument will stand in the square in front of the large, white-walled palace building, which used to be the Tibetan Government's treasury as well as a private monastery for the Dalai Lama.

Beijing refuses to recognise the Dalai Lama, who fled to India following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Xinhua said the monument was expected to be finished in November.