We report on fluorescence and upconversion emissions of Er3+-doped TeO2-ZnO-PbCl2 tellurite-based oxyhalide glasses under 977nm laser diode excitation. A strong 153μm emission from 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition with a full width at half maximum of ~69 nm, and three intense infrared -to-visible upconversion emissions at 524, 546 and 668 nm, corresponding to 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F11/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectivel y, have been observed under 977 nm excitation and the mechanisms involved have b een explained. The intensity parameters Ωt (t=2,4,6) of Er3+-doped TeO2-ZnO-PbCl2 oxyhalide glasses have been calculated according to the Judd- Ofelt theory, and the results are Ω2=59×10-20cm2,Ω4=2 1×10-20cm2,and Ω6=12×10-20cm2,respectively. The e mission cross_section has also been calculated from the absorption cross-section and the emission spectrum by using the McCumber theory. The maximum emission cr oss_section is 875×10-21cm2 at 153μm. Our results indicate that Te O2_ZnO_PbCl2 oxyhalide glasses are promising candidates for optical amplifie rs and upconversion lasers in comparison with the glasses such as silicate, phos phate, and fluoride glasses.