Fires in Tibet capital, Lhasa after protests, 14 Mar 2008

China says it will reopen Tibet to foreign tourists, after closing it during violent protests in March.

Chinese state media Tuesday quote regional tourism officials as saying the Tibet Autonomous Region will be opened to outsiders on Wednesday.

The Xinhua news agency reports that two Swedish tourists will arrive in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on Wednesday and four tourists from Singapore will arrive on Sunday.

Tourists have been prevented from traveling to the region since riots against the Chinese government erupted in Lhasa on March 14, sparking a harsh crackdown by Chinese troops.

Tibet's government-in-exile says more than 200 people died in the crackdown on mostly monk-led protests.  China blames Tibetan rioters for the deaths of at least 20 people.