Two Oasis concerts scheduled to take place in China were cancelled because of financial problems, the promoter has said.

Initial reports had claimed the gigs in Beijing and Shanghai next month had been scrapped after Chinese authorities deemed the band “unsuitable” to perform.

However, a spokesman from promoters Beijing All Culture Communication Co Ltd told Reuters the cancellations were due to a “tough economic situation”.

"I have no money. It's normal in an environment of economic crisis,” the spokesman said. “It has nothing to do at all with the Tibet problem.”

Authorities in China confirmed the promoter's claims, but said they were still seeking “more detailed information”.

On Monday, reports said the Chinese culture ministry had revoked the band's performance licenses after learning that Noel Gallagher had performed at a Free Tibet concert in 1997.

Tibet lost its independence to the Peoples Republic of China in 1951 and ever since the subject has been considered taboo.

In a statement, Oasis said they were “extremely disappointed” and hoped the decision could be reconsidered.

The rest of Oasis' tour of South East Asia is to go ahead as planned.

(by Jason Gregory)