Chinese authorities are tightening controls in an ethnic Tibetan region where at least 10 people have set themselves on fire last month to protest Chinese rule.

The state-run, web-based Qinghai News said Thursday that Huangnan prefecture in western Qinghai province is stepping up patrol of public areas with police and military forces and setting up checkpoints to keep foreigners out of the Tongren area, home to the restive Rongwo monastery.

It says the prefecture will account for inflammables, monitor likely trouble makers, and organise propaganda teams to condemn self-immolations.