China mulls faster travel permits for visit to Tibet

Beijing, January 10 

Amid a bitter row with the US over a new law banning Chinese officials who deny US citizens, government officials and journalists access to Tibet, China has approved a plan to cut time for issuing travel permits for foreigners visiting remote Himalayan region from this year.

President Donald Trump had signed the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018 into law which was passed by US Congress and the Senate.

Last month, China warned of “forceful measures” and “consequences” after Trump went ahead and signed the new bipartisan law banning US visas for Chinese officials who deny American citizens, government officials and journalists access to Tibet, the homeland of Dalai Lama.

At present, foreign tourists need a special travel permit to visit Tibet in addition to a Chinese visa. It normally takes at least 15 days to receive the permits. This extra requirement is based on Tibet’s unique ethnic traditions, cultural heritage, reception capacity and ecological protection needs, the China Daily report said. — PTI