Rioters in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, set fires at more than 300 locations, including residential houses and 214 shops, and smashed and burned 56 vehicles, said Qiangba Puncog, regional government chairman, at a news briefing held in Beijing on the riotous activities that occurred in Lhasa on March 14.

"Most of the riot took place at commercial streets of Bargor, Linkuo, Sera and the Ngaqen Road, Second Ring Road and Beijing Middle Road in downtown area of Lhasa," said Qiangba, when disclosing casualty and losses in the Lhasa riot.

The No. 2 Lhasa Middle School, the Haicheng Primary School and the Chomsigkang Market were targeted by rioters, who smashed, stoned, looted and set fire, he said.

A branch of the Bank of China, outlets of China Mobile, the Lhasa Branch of Xinhua News Agency, the office of Tibet Daily as well as a number of government offices were attacked by vandals, the chairman said.

Reporters at Xinhua's Lhasa branch saw many stores along the western Beijing Road, western Jinzhu Road and southern Linkuo Road reopen on Sunday afternoon.

The regional government mobilized soldiers and civil servants on Sunday afternoon to clear the wreckage from damaged shops and streets at the worst-hit areas in downtown Lhasa.

The cleaners are sweeping garbage, shoveling away stones, removing overturned cars and burnt motorcycles and bicycles off the Bargor, Duosenge, eastern Beijing, Yutuo, northern Linkuo and eastern Jiangsu roads, all in the Old Town area of the plateau city.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 17, 2008)