Oasis 'banned from China performance'

Oasis have been banned from performing in China because of Noel Gallagher's links to the Free Tibet movement, it has emerged.

The group earlier announced that they had cancelled shows in Beijing and Shanghai in April, which would have been their first in the country.

Organisers stopped ticket purchases for the two gigs on Saturday, February 28.

A band spokesperson said: "The Chinese authorities action in cancelling these shows marks a reversal of their decision regarding the band, which has left both Oasis and the promoters bewildered.

"According to the show's promoters, officials within the Chinese Ministry of Culture only recently discovered that Noel Gallagher appeared at a Free Tibet Benefit Concert on Randall's Island in New York in 1997.

"[They] have now deemed that the band are consequently unsuitable to perform to their fans in the Chinese Republic on 3rd and 5th of April, during its 60th anniversary year."

The group expressed their disappointment at not being able to perform the shows and said that they hope the government will reconsider and allow them to play to their fans in China in the future.

Oasis will play the rest of the dates on the South-East Asian leg of their Dig Out Your Soul tour, including a date in Hong Kong before their first shows in South Africa on April 10 and 13.

Last year, Bjork caused controversy when she shouted "Tibet! Tibet" during a performance of 'Declare Independence' in Shanghai.