The reporters, including 11 from foreign media organizations such as the American Broadcasting Company, The Reuters, the Russian News and Information Agency and the TV Asashi Corporation of Japan are on their four-day trip in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture after the riots on March 14.

They are scheduled to visit Xiahe, Hezuo, Maqu and Luqu, the worst hit areas in the riots and interview local residents, living Buddhas, and government officials.

They interviewed Jamyang Losang Jigme Tubdain Qoigyi Nyima, vice president of the Tibetan Chapter of the Buddhist Association of China, in the morning before arriving at the Labrang monastery.

Jamyang, one of the most revered religious leaders in the country, told reporters that the destruction in Gansu was nothing but blatant exposure of separatism and insanity.

Jamyang said Labrang would not expel any of the disciples who were engaged in the riots. "But a few lawbreakers will have to be dealt with according to the law," he said. "Like anyone else, they have to abide by the law."

The religious leader added that he was also annoyed by the Tibetan separatists who disrupted the Olympic torch relay outside China.

Mao Shengwu, acting chief of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, briefed the journalists in the afternoon on the recent riots.