Tibet

China and Tibet: Security Tightened for 60th Communist Anniversary, Foreigners Restricted in Tibet

Date: September 24th, 2009 |

Chinese authorities tightened security in Beijing and elsewhere for the 60th anniversary of communist rule on Oct. 1. Armed SWAT teams have been deployed in the city center, including Tiananmen Square, and even kite-flying has been banned. The sale of knives was banned after two stabbing incidents within two days near Tiananmen Square. Authorities also [read more]

China: Tibetan Areas Closed to Foreigners

Date: February 18th, 2009 |

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Authorities have closed wide areas of Tibetan regions in western China to foreigners as the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising approaches. March 10 marks the date the Dalai Lama fled into exile after the failed revolt in 1959. Chinese officials cracked down on potential dissent in January by detaining 81 people in Tibet, and [read more]

Tibet: Tourism Agencies Cutting Prices to Lure Back Tourists

Date: January 22nd, 2009 |

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Tourists have abandoned Tibet since last March’s violent demonstrations and Chinese government crackdown, prompting the tourism industry in Lhasa to slash prices in the hopes of luring visitors back. Hotels in Lhasa have cut prices by up to 70 percent, air fares have been trimmed, tourist attractions and travel services have all joined a promotion [read more]

Tibet: Tibet Reopens to Foreign Tourists

Date: June 25th, 2008 |

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Now that the Olympic torch has passed through Lhasa, Chinese authorities have reopened Tibet to foreign tourists, saying the torch’s successful journey has shown that Tibet is stable enough for foreign visitors. Officials closed Tibet to all tourists after anti-Chinese riots broke out in Lhasa March 14, but allowed domestic tourists back in on April [read more]

Tibet: China Will Reopen Tibet to Foreign Tourists May 1

Date: April 10th, 2008 |

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Chinese officials announced April 4 that Tibet will be reopened to foreign tourists May 1 after a six-week closure because of protests that led to a police crackdown in which between 18 and 14o people died. The government said 18 had been killed in Lhasa but the Dalai Lama’s government in exile said 140 had [read more]

Tibet: China to Reopen Tibet to Foreigners

Date: April 1st, 2009 |

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The Chinese government announced it will reopen Tibet to foreign tourists on April 5, easing restrictions it had placed on Tibet and surrounding Tibetan areas in March. Now that the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan revolt that led to the Dalai Lama’s flight into exile has passed, China feels that its security crackdown can be [read more]

Tibet: Crackdown on Dissent

Date: February 5th, 2009 |

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Chinese authorities cracked down on potential dissent two months before the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation that led to the Dalai Lama’s escape and exile. Eighty-one people have been detained and almost 6,000 questioned in what authorities say is a campaign targeting criminals. The Tibetan government-in-exile expressed concern that the [read more]

Tibet: Foreign Tourists Welcome, but Not Everything Is Open

Date: July 10th, 2008 |

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Chinese authorities reopened Tibet to foreign tourists June 25, but key monasteries remain closed and it may be some time before everything returns to normal for foreign visitors. The main sites in Lhasa such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulinka are open, but important monasteries such as Drepung and Sera remain closed. In [read more]

China and Tibet: Lockdown in Lhasa; Interpol Worries about Attacks in Beijing

Date: May 1st, 2008 |

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The Chinese government announced a lockdown on the Tibetan capital of Lhasa from May 1 to June 20 to prevent any disruption of the Olympic torch parade through Tibet. Residents of surrounding counties have been ordered not to enter the city, including farmers who would normally come to Lhasa to sell their produce, and all [read more]

China/Tibet: Tensions Remain High in Lhasa

Date: April 2nd, 2008 |

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Facing international censure over its repression of dissent in Tibet and in heavily Tibetan areas of Gansu province, the Chinese government is doing its best to blame the recent protests on the Dalai Lama while showing that the situation is calm in Lhasa. It allowed foreign diplomats in for a tightly-controlled two-day visit but did [read more]