Sichuan Policy Follow Reporters In Tibetan Area

Apr 12, 2008

Police stopped a reporter and photographer from Kyodo News at a checkpoint as they tried to enter the Tibetan-inhabited city of Ganzi in western Sichuan Province.

Three policemen insisted they escort the reporter and photographer for their own safety, and followed them everywhere they went — at times in a separate car, at times on foot — while they were in Ganzi.

The reporting team also was denied access to a Tibetan temple and was told the reason was because no journalist could enter without a press pass for the Beijing Olympics — even though such passes have yet to be issued.