Foreign journalists in China are allowed to apply for entering Tibet, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Thursday.

The Jokhang Monastery

"Since Tibet had re-opened to foreign tourists, foreign journalists in China could also apply with local authorities to go there in line with previous procedure," Liu told a press conference.

Tibet re-opened to foreign tourists on Wednesday after a stoppage of more than three months due to the March 14 riot in the regional capital of Lhasa.

The re-installed stable situation in Tibet accords with interests of all the Chinese people, including the Tibetan compatriots, and is also in the expectation of the international community, Liu noted.

"Tibet does not change the policy of opening-up, and it is very important and positive progress to timely announce the re-opening of Tibet to foreign tourists after the situation returned stable," Liu said.

After all, the violent activities did take place in this region, Liu said. Foreign journalists should abide by arrangement of local authorities since uncertainty still exists, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2008)