Bob Dylan allowed into China

Bob Dylan has been cleared to perform in China.

The folk musician has surprisingly been given permission by the government to play a concert in Beijing as it had been thought he wouldn't be allowed in to the heavily censored communist state because of his protest songs and political beliefs.

However, China's Ministry of Culture posted a notice on its website stating the 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' singer would be performing in the capital city between March 30 and April 12.

An additional concert in Shanghai is also set to be approved.

Dylan, 69, became one of the figurehead's of the anti-establishment and anti-Vietnam War movement in America in the 1960s, but he hasn't engaged in politics for many years.

Although the music legend has been allowed to enter China many western acts have been refused permission to perform.

In 2009, Oasis were banned from entering the state by the government after being deemed "unsuitable" because of their links to the Free Tibet campaign.

A statement released by the group - who have now split - at the time revealed the authorities had made their decision after discovering guitarist Noel Gallagher had played at a Free Tibet benefit concert on Randall's Island in New York in 1997.

China has controversially ruled Tibet since 1951. As many as 250 people were reportedly killed during a crackdown on Tibetan protesters in March 2008 that resulted in widespread rioting against the Chinese government.