Tibet now open to foreign journalists

China's Foreign Ministry has announced that foreign journalists will be allowed to apply to enter Tibet, as the area has been opened to foreign tourists.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Thursday that journalists could apply with local authorities to visit the area in line with previous procedure, reiterating that Tibet has not changed its opening-up policy.

Foreigners have not been allowed to enter Tibet since the March 14 Lhasa riots. However, after the successful Olympic torch relay in the area, authorities declared it open to foreigners last Tuesday.

The first group of foreign tourists arrived in the capital last Wednesday.