MONDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2001
China closes Afghan border region to journalists
BEIJING: China has banned foreign journalists from a region bordering on Afghanistan amid anticipation of US attacks on terrorist targets in Afghanistan.
In a brief notice sent to resident foreign journalists in China over the weekend, the foreign ministry's International Press Center said the Tashkorgan region was closed to ensure reporters' safety.
While Beijing says the region is calm, China is wary of any outbreak of Islamic extremism within its territory brought on by US attacks on Afghanistan. Beijing fears anger over the attacks could exacerbate anti-government sentiments among many Muslims in its Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous region where Tashkorgan is located.
China's narrow border with Afghanistan is closed and Chinese troops guarding the mountainous frontier have been reinforced to ward off military incursions and stem potential refugee flows.
Reporters would be notified when the region is reopened, the foreign ministry said. ( AP )
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