China says it will construct the world's highest airport next year in Tibet.



State media says the airport to be built in Nagqu town will be about 4,436 metres above sea level.



That is about 100 metres higher than the world's current highest airport in Qamdo town, in another part of the mountaineous region.



Tibet already has five civilian airports, at least two of which are only open for a few months of the year because of extreme weather.



Beijing says that the new airport, plus roads and a railway to Tibet, will promote development and help raise living standards.



But Tibet activists say the new links will speed up the pace of Chinese migration there and dilute Tibetan Buddhist culture.



Reuters