World | Other World Stories
China says showing restraint
China claimed on Monday it was showing great restraint in the face of violent protests by Tibetans, claiming they were being orchestrated by followers of the Dalai Lama intent on wrecking the upcoming Olympic Games.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:30 March 17, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Protests were reported in Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu provinces. All are home to Tibetan populations.
Beijing: China claimed on Monday it was showing great restraint in the face of violent protests by Tibetans, claiming they were being orchestrated by followers of the Dalai Lama intent on wrecking the upcoming Olympic Games.
But reports said troops were pouring into neighbouring areas to enforce control in the wake of spreading protests, as the regional capital counted down to a midnight deadline for protesters to give up or face tougher punishment.
Qiangba Puncog, the Tibetan regional governor, said 13 "innocent civilians" had been killed by mobs in Lhasa.
But The Tibetan "government-in-exile" in Dharamsala in northern India said armed police were carrying out house-to-house searches in Lhasa and had arrested former "political prisoners" in the clampdown.
They put the death toll of protesters at the hands of the Chinese authorities at 80.
Residents contacted in Lhasa said the city was under tight police watch ahead of a Monday midnight deadline for protesters to give themselves up.
Foreign reporters are barred from travelling to Tibet without official permission and tourists have been asked to leave. Over a dozen Hong Kong journalists were forced out of Lhasa on Monday after being accused of illegal reporting.
Related Links
- UN urges China to act with restraint in Tibet
- China sets 'surrender' deadline
- Tibetan march despite warnings
- Jintao faces steep challenges
- Tibet mars Olympic shine
- Tibetan death toll reportedly at 80
- Tibetan protesters burn down police station in China
- China blocks YouTube over Tibet protests
- Chinese forces kill 7 protestors near Tibet
- EU against Olympic boycott
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
