The Chinese government loosened restrictions that kept Tibetan monks in two provinces from openly revering the Dalai Lama, the exiled Buddhist spiritual leader, Radio Free Asia reported.

Authorities in Sichuan province announced people can display pictures of the Dalai Lama and ordered officials not to criticise him, the U.S.-funded RFA reported, citing a resident in Sichuan's Ganzi prefecture it didn't identify. In the past, monks had to keep pictures of the Dalai Lama hidden.

Tibetan monks in China may get the chance to openly show images of the Dalai Lama. Credit:AFP

China took control of Tibet in 1951 and has vilified the Dalai Lama, 77, as a separatist since he fled to India in 1959, where he leads a government in exile. Chinese officials regularly levy diplomatic sanctions on countries that host him for visits, including the UK.

RFA cited a resident of Qinghai province as saying officials now aren't under orders to criticise the Dalai Lama. Monks may venerate the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader, not as a political leader, RFA reported.