Tibet said to be closed off to foreigners

China has closed off the region of Tibet to foreign tourists in the runup to next month’s politically sensitive 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, AFP reported, citing tour agencies and other industry sources in Tibet. An employee at a government-run travel agency in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa said that tour agents were banned from organizing trips for foreigners through April 1. China on Tuesday said that foreigners, including foreign journalists, would still be able to apply to visit Tibet through normal channels, though it was unclear whether their applications would be approved. This would mark the second time the region has been sealed off to foreigners in one year. Tibet was closed off following protests in Lhasa in March of 2008.