China's State Council, or the cabinet, has approved the application of Shannan in Tibet to become the fifth prefecture-level city in the region, authorities announced on Tuesday.
Located in southeastern Tibet with an average altitude of 3,700 metres, Shannan is the fifth prefecture-level city in Tibet after the regional capital Lhasa, Qamdo, Xigaze and Nyingchi, Xinhua news agency reported.
Shannan, which borders India and Bhutan, is the birthplace of the ancient Tibetan civilization with the region's first king, first palace, first piece of farmland, first temple and first religious script.