Only 8% of Lhasa rioters sent to jail

No extraordinary measures such as martial law would be enforced in Lhasa, with the city taking "usual and necessary" security measures during the anniversary of the riot and the celebrations to mark 50 years of Tibet's democratic reform, which emancipated millions from serfdom.

"I cannot swear that some individuals won't make reckless moves next week, but riots like those seen last March won't happen again," he said.

Puncog said that the region had applied for the deployment of more security forces. But he said that this was not because of last year's riot but was based on the region's real needs.

"Tibet covers a large area and more people are traveling in and out of the region. The current deployment of police and border defense forces is simply not enough," he said.

Kang Jinzhong, political commissar of the armed police force in Tibet, also said the deployment of armed police in Tibet was a normal practice, and there has been no "sudden increase" in their numbers in Tibet since last year's riot.

In response to a question about an alleged ban on foreign journalists visiting Tibet, Puncog said Tibet always welcomes foreign reporters, but they should work "in a just and objective way".

"I myself received quite a number of foreign reporters last year," he said.

However, the region would still have some special regulations on tourists and media coverage, due to the limits of the region's climate and geographic conditions, he said.

Editor:Zheng Limin