THE Chinese government has closed Tibet to outside observers, poured security forces into the region and vowed to "crush" supporters of the Dalai Lama.

The move came before the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight into exile in March 1959, triggering worries of a heavy-handed reaction to any dissent.

The local government has ordered security forces to "mobilise and fully deploy" in order to "firmly crush the savage aggression of the Dalai Lama clique, defeat separatism and maintain stability", according to the Tibet Daily, a state newspaper. Witnesses in Tibet reported shop closures and a heavy security presence on the streets.

China has also banned all foreigners from the region until further notice. Tourist agencies were contacted on Tuesday by officials and told to cancel all trips for the foreseeable future. Foreigners require a permit to enter Tibet, but Youth Travel Service, one of the largest travel agencies, said few, if any, permits were being issued.

The ban extends into some parts of the three provinces surrounding Tibet where ethnic Tibetans live. Officials in Gansu confirmed that tourists were being turned away from Tibetan areas, and officials in Sichuan said tourists on the road to Tibet were being stopped. In Qinghai, officials said foreigners had always been banned from areas where Tibetans live.

Last year, a peaceful demonstration to mark the date spiralled into violent riots in Tibet and the surrounding provinces. According to the Chinese Government, 22 people were killed, but human rights groups believe the true figure is far higher.

This year, the authorities are taking no chances. The Tibet Daily carried an editorial insisting that China "must maintain heavy pressure on criminal violators from start to finish".

DAILY TELEGRAPH