Foreign tourists are once again banned to visit Tibet. Chinese authorities restricted the issuance of permits to visit the region until October 8. However, they are not going to deport from Tibet those foreign tourists who are already there. Such rigor was introduced to provide security before and during the celebration of 60 years of communist rule in China, to be held on October 1.
For the sake of quiet celebration other rules were introduced , such as in Beijing, it is forbidden to release the pigeons and fly kites, as well as many shops of the country have suspended the sale of knives.
Recall that it is not the first time that entry of foreigners to Tibet is limited. Last time tourists were stopped to the region, which is still struggling for its independence, in February 2009, shortly before the celebration of the Tibetan New Year and the 50th anniversary of the uprising against the Chinese authorities. The Chinese government explained such actions with the concern about the safety of foreigners. By the way, the ban lasted for entire 2 months.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists are not safe to stay in Tibet, but in the Chinese capital. On Saturday, September 19, in the area called Tyanyanmen in Beijing, an unknown assailant attacked a French tourist and twice struck her with a knife. Frenchwoman was taken to hospital. The victim received minor injuries. The assailant was defused by police officers. Investigation is underway.
Before the holiday extra precautions, mobilized by the special police units, have been put in Beijing but even these security measures do not save the tourists from blows with a knife. Thursday, 17 September, in the same area, another unknown stabbed to death two policemen and wounded 14 people. They failed to find out the motives of the attacker.
