China cracks down on unrest

CHENGDU, China, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- China, in advance of next month's Tibetan new year, has sent thousands of security forces into a southwestern area where ethnic Tibetans live, officials said.

The move follows unrest in the region that included self immolations by Tibetans and protests that sparked violent clashes with police, CNN reported Tuesday.

The recent turmoil appears to be the worst between ethnic Tibetans and Chinese authorities since 2008 when unrest in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa left at least 22 people dead.

Chinese police were stopping all cars trying to enter the region during the weekend, checking identification papers and turning away reporters and those with foreign passports.

Residents in a local village near the checkpoint told CNN China sent reinforcements because of the tense situation in Ganzi that borders Tibet and is home to a population that is nearly 80 percent ethnic Tibetan.

Last month, the Tibetan government-in-exile called for international intervention.