Shortly before the 60th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s flight from Tibet, China has banned foreign tourists from traveling to the region. As several Chinese travel agencies of dpa confirmed today, foreigners should not be allowed to enter until 1 April. The necessary approval will only be given again on this date.
Tibet lies on a plateau between 3,600 and 5,200 meters high. From the 15th century, the Buddhist kingdom developed into a monastic state with the Dalai Lama as head and Lhasa as the capital. In 1950, China invaded Tibet with its People’s Liberation Army and in 1965 appointed the People’s Republic of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Repeated riots
Because the Tibetans feared the abduction of their leader, a great uprising broke out on March 10, 1959, during which the now 83-year-old Dalai Lama escaped with his followers into Indian exile. In March 2008, riots broke out in Lhasa after monks thought they were fleeing.
Before important political meetings and anniversaries, China has repeatedly banned foreigners access to Tibet in the past. Far more than 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in recent years to protest Chinese policies in Tibetan-populated areas.
