In Response To Washington, China Now Restricts US Staff Visa In Tibet

JAKARTA - China announced visa restrictions for a number of US personnel who have "bad behavior" on issues related to Tibet.

Announcement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes after Washington imposed additional visa restrictions two weeks ago for Chinese officials involved in a policy regulating the access of foreigners to the Tibetan region.

The US accused the Chinese Communist Party of refusing to give US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to Tibet and other Tibetan territories in China.

The US demands an "infinite access" to the region for US diplomats and other parties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the problem related to Tibet was China's "domestic affairs".

The abuse of visa restrictions by the US against Chinese officials over Tibet is said to have violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.

Foreign tourists are allowed to visit Tibet's westernmost region provided they travel in groups and obtain prior permission.

Foreign diplomats and journalists need approval from Tibetan local authorities to go there.

"Tibet is open. China welcomes friendly people from other countries to visit, travel and do business in Tibet," Lin told reporters.

"However, China opposes the interference of any country or person in Tibet's affairs under the pretext of so-called human rights, religion, and culture," he added.

China seized control of Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a "peaceful release" from feodalistic slavery.

However, international human rights groups and exiles routinely condemn what they call China's repressive government in the Tibetan region.