China Debates Re-Opening for Tourism

According to local reports, China plans to open the region of Tibet to tourists once again since it closed last month for protests.

A Chinese newspaper stated that the government has said, “The Tibet tourism bureau is doing its utmost to prepare for the reopening of all tourist spots,”

Local media reports that the region should reopen for tourism as early as the first of May, but this has not been officially confirmed. According to a United States rights group Beijing has no plans to let foreigners in until after the Olympics this summer.

Tourism is an important source of money for the poor region. Four million tourists came last year the temples and enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as Tibetan culture. Anyone who visits Tibet must have a special permit.

Beijing believes the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, has planned this as a bid for independence and intends to ruin the Beijing Games. The Dalai Lama denies the claim, saying he is not looking for Tibetan independence.

China keeps on verbally attacking the Dalai Lama accusing him of using the human rights cause for his own agenda. In the newspaper used for these attacks, a front page commentary from the editor said, “‘Human rights’ seems like a trump card that the Dalai has a keen interest in. He loves to play it, and he plays it well, but his failure to condemn the cruel injuries inflicted on innocent Tibetans and Chinese by hooligans and their burning of shops and schools, showed his true colors.” It also stated, “In the history of China and other countries, is it possible to find a ‘human rights guard’ like this?”

The Dalai Lama has protested violence, requesting meetings with China and supporting the Beijing Games. However, China doubts his sincerity.