WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US embassy in Beijing issued a warning Saturday against travel to Tibet and majority Tibetan areas of west China after clashes between Chinese troops and protestors in Lhasa left a reported 30 dead.
"The situation in Lhasa continues to be unstable and Americans are advised to defer travel to Tibet at this time," it said in a statement on its website.
"In addition, Americans are advised to use caution when traveling to predominantly Tibetan areas of neighboring provinces, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Xinjiang provinces.
"There have been reports of some demonstrations in provinces bordering Tibet, but no reports of violence that we are aware of."
Given the "fluidity" of the situation, the embassy urged all US citizens to continue monitoring events, stay indoors and avoid large public gatherings.
The warning came after Chinese security services clashed in Lhasa with Tibetans protesting on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. The uprising was put down with force and led the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, to flee into exile.
Tibet's exiled government in India said Saturday that about 30 people had been killed during unrest in Lhasa, while the Chinese government has reported 10 deaths.
Witnesses said tanks and soldiers were out in force in Lhasa following Friday's protests, the biggest against China's rule of the province since 1989.
According to the China National Tourist Office, 1.7 million US visitors travelled to China in 2006. Of these, about 980,000 were visiting for leisure purposes, while 22,400 visited friends and family.
This is the second largest group of visitors from countries outside Asia. Russians were the biggest non-Asians to visit China in 2006, with 2.4 million making the trip out of a total of 5.2 million from Europe.
The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that several US-based tour operators had canceled trips to Tibet following this week's violence.
Louise Shumbris, vice president of product operations and development at tour firm Travcoa, said it had canceled a 17-day Tibet-focused trip leaving April 21.
"We don't feel secure in guaranteeing the comfort or safety at this moment," she told the newspaper.
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