LHASA -- China's State Council, or the cabinet, has approved the application of Shannan in Tibet Autonomous Region to become the fifth prefecture-level city in the region, local authorities announced on Tuesday.

As part of the status upgrade, a city committee of the Communist Party of China, government, the people's congress standing committee, and the city's political advisory body will be established.

Located in southeastern Tibet with an average altitude of 3,700 meters, Shannan is the fifth prefecture-level city in Tibet after the regional capital Lhasa, Qamdo, Xigaze and Nyingchi.

Shannan, which borders Indian 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.