China denies demolitions at centre for Tibetan Buddhist learning

A view shows the settlements of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Sertar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, China, July 23, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities are renovating one of the world's largest centres of learning for Tibetan Buddhism to prevent overcrowding and fires, a state-run newspaper said on Tuesday, denying Tibetan rights groups' charges of demolition and evictions.

Groups including the British-based International Campaign for Tibet say demolition work began last week at Larung Gar in Garze, a heavily Tibetan part of the southwestern province of Sichuan.