China Bans Foreign Tourists from Tibet

China’s government imposed a ban on all foreign tourists Thursday, forbidding them from traveling to Tibet. The government imposed the ban—which has no set end date—at the beginning of the Saga Dawa festival, which celebrates the birth of Buddha. Traditionally, Buddhist pilgrims and tourists flock to Tibet during the festival, but foreigners are now unable to get permits into Tibet. The move comes amid increasing unrest in the region. Over 30 people have set themselves on fire in protest of Chinese rule since March 2011, including two who self-immolated in Lhasa in May–the first self immolation cases in that city.