Chinese Media Ignores Olympic Protests – TIBET – WITH ASSOCIATED ARTICLES
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Foreigners in Tibet: Western media reports not conform with facts
Special report: Dalai clique's separatist activities condemned
·"Many reports were not accurate," said Tony Gleason.
·"The protests were by no means peaceful," Gleason said.
·"I never saw police open fire to the mobsters," he added.
LHASA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- While some Western media rashly accuse China of "violent crackdown" on the "peaceful protests" in Tibet, some foreigners there disagreed.
"Many reports were not accurate," said Tony Gleason, field director of Tibet Poverty Alleviation Fund, an American organization which helps poor Tibetans through skill training and small sum of financing.
Surfing the Internet in his hotel, Gleason saw the Western reports on the incidents in Tibet. In some reports, the riot was described as "peaceful" and "unarmed" demonstration cracked down by the Chinese government.
"The protests were by no means peaceful," Gleason said.
He recalled that he was dining at the Snowland Restaurant with his wife and one-year-old daughter on March 14 when a large group of mobsters threw bricks and hand-sized rocks at cars on the street.
"I saw black smoke from the center of the city, and there was more smoke from different parts," he said at the Gajilin Hotel where he lives and works.
"I never saw police open fire to the mobsters," he added.
Ursula Rechbach, from Slovenia, has worked more than eight years for the Lhasa-based Project for Strengthening the Tibetan Traditional Medicine.
The lady in her 50s said she was having lunch with her colleagues on March 14, when the riot started. Her Tibetan colleagues quickly accompanied her to her hotel.
"We hardly made it," Ursula said of the terrible day, adding she saw from the roof of her hotel that young people in late teens holding long sticks and stones in their hands, screaming, turning over cars, setting cars on fire, and smashing and looting shops.
She later spoke to a few other foreigners in Tibet. Based on what they had seen, they agreed that the riot must have been organized. "You can't have it all of a sudden. It can be (happening) in one place, if it is not organized. It must be premeditated, at least prepared," she said.
Commenting on some Western media accusing China of "massacring Tibetans" in their "peaceful protest", Ursula said, "You can invent some stories in order to sell better, but how can you accuse anybody if you were not there," she said.
Guzman Escardo, who works with the Association for International Solidarity in Asia (ASIA), told Xinhua that the local police had been extremely polite, contrary to what the Western media presumed.
"The police on the streets are kind and polite. They always smile at me," he said.
Escardo said he watched channel nine of China Central Television (CCTV) and the Spanish TV to see what was going on.
"The local government often contacts us to make sure I am safe. They take a lot care of me," he said. "I feel safe at the hotel."
Aside from foreigners in Tibet, tens of thousands of Chinese netizens have lashed out at a number of Western media for distorting facts in covering the riot in Lhasa.
According to the netizens, German newspaper Berlin Morningpost posted a picture on its website in which police in Lhasa rescued a young man of Han nationality assaulted by rioters. But the caption said "insurrectionist taken away by police".
In a similar case, N-TV, headquartered in Germany, was accused of using TV footage showing police with captured protestors in a report on the Tibet riot. The footage had been shot in Nepal, and the police were Nepalese.
The N-TV said on March 23 that it would check the authenticity of the TV footage, following Germany's RTL television which on the same day said that it "regretted an error" in covering the riot in Lhasa.
The RTL TV admitted that it had reported the riots with a picture taken on March 17 in the capital city of Kathmandu, where Nepalese security forces were confronting demonstrators with batons.
German news television regrets error in covering Tibet riots
N-TV, headquartered in Germany, used TV footage showing police with captured protestors in a report on the Tibet riots. The footage had been shot in Nepal, the police were Nepalese.Photo Gallery>>>
BERLIN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Germany's RTL television said on Sunday that it "regrets an error" in covering the riots in Lhasa, capital city of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
The TV station admitted on its website that it "used a picture in a wrong context." Full text
German media apologize for errors in covering Tibet riots
BERLIN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Two German news organizations have apologized after being accused of distorting facts in covering the riots in Lhasa, capital city of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
German news television N-TV on Monday admitted that a picture and a video sequence it used on March 20 in a report about the riots in Tibet had actually been taken in Nepal, a neighboring country of China. Full text
Netizens slam CNN's distortion of riot picture
A CNN website picture shows people running in front of a military truck. The original picture uploaded by Chinese netizens, however, actually also shows mobsters throwing stones at the truck.Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of netizens have answered calls to condemn CNN and a few other western media organizations for distorting facts in covering the riot in Lhasa, capital city of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
"The fairness and objectivity of CNN is cropped," said one of the postings at the online forum of www.china.com., referring to a CNN website picture showing people running in front of a military truck. The original picture uploaded by Chinese netizens, however, actually also shows mobsters throwing stones at the truck. Full text
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The New York Times
March 25, 2008
Chinese Media Ignores Olympic Protests
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:50 a.m. ET
BEIJING (AP) -- According to the state-run media, anti-Chinese government protests that marred the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony simply didn't happen.
State-controlled Chinese media did not mention the embarrassing disruption, which took place Monday in Greece when a protester evaded security and ran up behind Beijing Olympic organizing committee President Liu Qi as he was giving a speech.
The image and the report of the protester unfurling a black banner -- the Olympic rings replaced by handcuffs -- appeared around the world in newspapers, on Web sites and on television broadcasts.
But not in China.
The domestic censorship comes as China tries to avoid a public relations disaster abroad.
The torch relay and the Olympics were supposed to feature a modern China. Instead, the intense coverage of Beijing preparations has become a stage for protests by pro-Tibet activists, and human rights and religious groups.
The games have also highlighted Beijing's choking pollution, tensions over Taiwan and issues with a Muslim minority in the west of the country.
The English-language China Daily published at least eight articles about the torch-lighting without mentioning the disruption. It also ignored the protest of a Tibetan woman who lay in the road of the torch relay until she was removed by police.
''A perfect start on the road to gold,'' the newspaper said in a headline.
''The Olympic flame will radiate light and happiness, peace and friendship, and the hope and dreams of the people of China and the whole world,'' it said, quoting Liu's speech. Liu is also the head of Beijing's Communist Party.
While ignoring the protests, the paper carried a front-page article accusing some media of ''distorted and sometimes dishonest'' coverage of recent riots in Tibet.
The Chinese-language People's Daily, the main voice of the Communist Party, filled half of its front page and all of its sports page with reports of the torch lighting. There was no mention of protests.
The powerful Guangming Daily carried reports from the state-run Xinhua news agency.
''People in Tibet are looking forward to the Olympic Games,'' one headline said.
''The whole country's attention and enthusiasm for the ceremony showed the world that the Chinese people's passion aroused by the Olympic flame is far beyond sports,'' an article said.
TV also ignored the protests. China state-run TV cut away just before the protests on Monday and showed a prerecorded scene, preventing Chinese viewers from seeing the incident. Chinese TV commentators didn't mention it. The TV coverage was broadcast with a slight delay, allowing censors to intervene.
International TV broadcasts from CNN and the BBC -- available only to foreigners in apartment compounds or hotels -- were blacked out when they carried scenes of the protest.
Unnerved by the threat of live TV broadcasts, China might bar live television broadcasts from Tiananmen Square during the Beijing Olympics. Any ban would upset international TV networks, who have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to broadcast the games.
Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang called the protests ''shameful and unpopular.''
''We believe that China has the confidence and capability to ensure a smooth Olympic torch relay and a successful Olympic Games,'' said Qin, who tacitly acknowledged the protests took place.
A half-dozen Chinese interviewed on the streets Tuesday said they didn't know about the protests.
''It's not something we should care about,'' said a migrant worker collecting garbage, who identified himself as Mr. Zhang. Migrant workers earn about $150 monthly and tens of thousands have been at work in Beijing building the city's new Olympic venues and airport terminal.
''We're not even quite sure we can still stay in this city when Olympic come,'' Zhang added.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press
Riots in Lhasa
19:26, March 24, 2008
Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia
The head priestess, Greece's actress Maria Nafpliotou, raises the torch of Olympic flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, March 24, 2008.
19:09, March 24, 2008
Chinese Luo takes Olympic torch
Athens Olympic champion swimmer Luo Xuejuan of China took the Olympic torch from Greek taekwondo athlete Alexandros Nikolaidis in ancient Olympia on Monday.
Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
19:10, March 24, 2008
Retired swimmer Luo proud to be first Chinese torchbearer of Beijing Olympics
Luo Xuejuan, formerly dubbed the "Queen in the Pool" before her retirement from swimming last year, felt extremely proud of being the first Chinese to bear the flame of Beijing Olympic Games here on Monday.
"I'm so honored, and feel so challenged also," said Luo, who won the only swimming title for China in Athens four years ago at the women's 100 meters breaststroke event.
"As the first Chinese torchbearer, I deeply know that I'm not bearing it by myself but with all my countrymen," Luo added. The 24-year-old former Olympian will take over the torch from Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medallist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the first torchbearer, after his torch is lit by High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou at the Ancient Olympia archaeological site. Luo did not feel pity to miss the Olympic flame lighting ceremony at Hera Temple since she has to wait the flame heralding its relay on her point.
"I think I would feel the heat of the flame, though I could not see it being lit," she said. "I know the flame will be lit somewhere very near to me, be soon passed to me and from me to elsewhere."
"The Olympic passion of all Chinese will thus be passed all around the Greek soil and around the world," she added. Luo was crowned the world champion at both the women's 50 and 100 meters breaststroke in 2001 and 2003, but announced her retirement in early 2007 due to health problem.
"I've been searching the way of my own to do something for the Olympic Games on home soil beside vying for medals in the grand event as an athlete," said Luo, smiling. "Now I find it." "As a torchbearer, I think the Olympic spirit means pure, fair, competitive, and friendship, passion, peace and harmonious. "Wish the peace of the world," she concluded.
The torch will roam Greece for six days, staying one night each in Mesologi, Ioannina, Vera, Thessaloniki, and Lamia, after which it will reach Athens on March 30.
The last torchbearer, Greece's 2004 Olympic silver medallist in triple jump, Pigi Devetzi, will transport the torch to Panathenian Stadium on March 30, where it will be transferred to the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games.
Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
19:10, March 24, 2008
World athletes hail torch relay as flame lit up
World athletes hailed the torch relay of the Beijing Olympic Games as the flame was lit up in Ancient Olympia and started its international tour on Monday.
The Beijing Olympics flame was lit in an official ceremony at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.
The ceremony launches the Olympic torch relay that marks the countdown for each Games, and the Beijing Games relay is the longest and most ambitious ever planned, lasting 130 days and covering 137,000 kilometers (85,000 miles) worldwide.
Kosuke Kitajima, Japan's double Olympic breaststroke champion and former world record holder, said he will feel delighted to take part in the torch relay although he has working hard currently in the United States to retain his titles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"I never expect to become a torch bearer for the upcoming Olympics, but it is meaningful to inform the arrival of the Olympic flame to the people of the world and increase the awareness for the Olympic movement. I feel so excited to get involved in the torch relay," said Kitajima, who is expected to run in Nagano of Japan segment.
"Now I am competing on a plateau of the USA, and training for 10,00 meters per day," added Kitajima. "I am in 100 percent good form and I can train like eating my breakfast."
At the Athens Olympics in 2004, Kitajima won the 100 and 200 meters golds. In April, he will come back to Japan for the national championships which also serve as qualifiers for the Olympics.
Luo Xuejuan, formerly dubbed the "Queen in the Pool" before her retirement from swimming last year, felt extremely proud of being the first Chinese to bear the flame of Beijing Olympic Games.
"I'm so honored, and feel so challenged also," said Luo, who won the only swimming title for China in Athens four years ago at the women's 100 meters breaststroke event.
"As the first Chinese torchbearer, I deeply know that I'm not bearing it by myself but with all my countrymen," Luo added.
The 24-year-old former Olympian took over the torch from Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medallist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the first torchbearer, after his torch was lit by High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou at the Ancient Olympia archaeological site.
Table tennis legend Deng Yaping, who has run twice in previous Olympics, will also run the torch relay in Greece on behalf of China.
"The torch relay lasts a long time and will get many people involved, so it will have an enormous effect on the world," said Deng, who ran her first torch relay in 2000 Sydney Games.
"Those who don't know much about the Olympics will use the torch relay as an access to it. The torch relay is really a good symbol for the Olympic movement."
Deng, with 18 world and Olympic titles to her belt, is one of the most successful table tennis players in China. After retirement, she became an official of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Deng noted that the different peoples from different countries can understand each other and enhance the friendship via the torch relay, which is aimed at the world peace.
"The Olympic Games are an arena for top-level athletes, so the torch relay presents a good chance for average people to get involved. In my previous torch relay experiences, I can really feel the charm of the noble movement and the enthusiasm of the torch bearers and the watchers."
The Beijing Olympics, the first to be held in China, will open on August 8 and run until August 24.
Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
09:03, March 24, 2008
1st torchbearer: Beijing Olympic Games to be big success
As the first torchbearer of this summer's Olympic Games, Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis said here Sunday that the Beijing games will be a big success as their preparations are underway smoothly.
Nikolaidis appeared for the first time Sunday in the rehearsals for Monday's flame lighting ceremony of the Beijing Olympiad at Ancient Olympia.
He told reporters he was very honored and excited about being the first torchbearer of the Beijing Olympics. "The Olympic torch will start from here tomorrow to travel around the world," he said.
The 28-year-old Nikolaidis, who took the silver in the 80kg category in the Athens summer Olympics, hoped that this time he would be one step better.
"I'll train hard and fight for the best result in Beijing," he vowed.
The weather, which was dusty in Olympia Sunday morning, could be a concern for Monday's ceremony. Nikolaidis expressed his hope that it could be better tomorrow.
On Monday, at the Ancient Olympia archaeological site, High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou will use a torch ignited by the Olympic Flame to light the torch held by Nikolaidis, who would then hand over the torch to China's swimming Olympic Champion Luo Xuejuan.
The torch will roam Greece for six days. The last torchbearer in Greece, the country's 2004 Olympic silver medalist in triple jump, Pigi Devetzi, will transport the torch to Panathenian Stadium on March 30, where it will be transferred to the organizing committee of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Source: Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
08:58, March 21, 2008
Foreign nations voice support for China's handling of Lhasa riot
Foreign nations voiced their support for China's legitimate actions to handle the violence in Lhasa in recent days, expressing their opposition to the secessionist activities and the politicization of the Beijing Olympics.
According to a press release issued here Thursday from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Russian, Belarusian and Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesmen all expressed their support for China's efforts to stop the unlawful activities in an aim to restore local peace and stability and their confidence in China's capability of hosting the Olympic Games.
Pakistani and Mauritania foreign ministries issued statements on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively applauding Beijing's commitment to host the Olympic event, stressing that their countries oppose to any attempts to sabotage or politicize the Beijing Olympics, as well as the conspiracies to undermine China's sovereignty and territory integrity.
Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said, "It is vital to keep sporting competitions and politics separate. We must not let politics obstruct the sports."
On the same day, Lesotho Foreign Minister Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa said in his meeting with Chinese ambassador that Lesotho will back China's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territory integrity, stressing that the handling of the Lhasa riot was China's internal affairs and no other countries have the right to make irresponsible remarks on the issue.
The press release also said that ambassadors in Beijing from Arabian nations all expressed their shock to the violence that occurred in Lhasa, saying that their countries support China's approaches to safeguard national security and restore social stability, and would continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
On the same day, Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee urged Dalai Lama and his followers to stay away from any political activities.
Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa and the Republic of Congo (ROC) Foreign Affairs Minister Basile Ikouebe all expressed their firm supports for China and its efforts to hold a successful Olympic Games in Beijing, the press release added.
Source: Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
09:58, March 22, 2008
Several international Olympic officials voice support for Beijing Olympics
Several chairmen of foreign Olympic Committees have recently voiced support for the Beijing Olympic Games, and opposed the politicization of the grand sports event.
Chairman of Kenya's Olympic Committee Kipchoge Keino told Xinhua that sports shouldn't be used by some people as a political tool. As one of human beings' greatest achievements, the Olympic Games should be a major force to promote world unity, not to create divisions, he said.
"Athletes have prepared for the Olympics for four years and they are looking forward to participating in the Games," Keino said. He hopes all athletes could actively participate in the Olympic Games with the spirit of competing fairly. Boycotting the Olympics or taking similar measures are meaningless, he said.
Stressing that the Tibet issue is part of China's internal affairs, he said he has the confidence that "the Chinese government and people will make all possible efforts to make the Olympics a success."
Romanian Olympic Committee President Octavian Morariu told Romania Libera newspaper on Thursday that he opposed the boycott of the Beijing Olympics, saying "We have no rights to interfere in other countries' political affairs."
Morariu said he is full of confidence that Beijing can host a successful Olympic Games, and the International Olympic Committee has already expressed the same belief, saying the safety of Olympic athletes will be absolutely guaranteed.
Under these circumstances, the idea of boycotting the Beijing Olympics is not even worth considering, he said.
President of Togo's National Olympic Committee Zoumaro Gnofame opposed on Thursday any attempt to politicize sports.
Gnofame made the remarks when meeting with Chinese Charge d'Affaires Shao Wei. He said Togo would unswervingly support the Beijing Olympic Games and send a delegation to the event.
He added that the "Tibet issue" would not affect most countries' passion to participate in the upcoming Olympics.
Latvian Olympic Committee President Aldons Vrublevsk said Thursday the committee firmly opposes any attempt to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games by taking advantage of the so-called "Tibet issue," adding that no such actions would find "common views" among the athletes.
Viktors Scerbatihs, weight-lifting world champion and parliament member of Latvia, said all the athletes are looking forward to participating in the Olympics and any political issues should be dealt with after the Games.
Source: Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
20:51, March 18, 2008
More countries oppose attempts to politicize Beijing Olympics
More countries and foreign media on Monday made statements on the recent riots in Lhasa, capital city of China's Tibet autonomous region, voicing opposition to attempts to politicize the Beijing Olympic Games by making use of the Tibet issue.
In a statement published on its website, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Tibet is an integral part of China and Russia hoped that the Chinese side will take all the necessary measures to end illegal actions and secure an early return to normalcy in the autonomous region.
"Attempts to politicize the conduct of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China are unacceptable," the statement stressed.
The EU sports ministers and Olympic committees strongly opposed a boycott of the Beijing Olympics over the Tibet issue. Slovene Sports Minister Milan Zver, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said that sport is still an instrument for inter-cultural dialogue.
Togay Bayatli, a member of the European Olympic Committees, said it is the athletes that lose out in cases of boycotts and other political actions.
"Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. Issues of Tibet are totally internal affairs of China," Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said. He noted that the Pakistani government is firmly opposed to any attempt to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Malaysia's Nanyang Siang Pau newspaper said that the separatists in Tibet attempted to instigate the riots in Lhasa to politicize the Beijing Olympics. As for the issue of Tibet and the Dalai clique, the stance of the Chinese government has always been firm and clear: the Dalai Lama is not purely a religious figure, but a political figure in exile, who has engaged in separatist activities for a long time.
Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said the unrest in Tibet will not affect the planned visit to Japan by Chinese President Hu Jintao this spring.
Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins said that Tibet is one part of the Chinese territory and the recent riot in Lhasa undermined the social stability in China.
In a statement, the Council for the Promotion of China's Peaceful Reunification in New Zealand slashed out the violence involving beating, smashing property, looting and arson in Lhasa.
It said Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and it is absolutely impossible for the Dalai clique to separate Tibet from China.
Source: Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
07:47, March 25, 2008
Expert: Lhasa riot reveals hypocritical features of Dalai clique
The recent riots in Lhasa, capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, and some other ethnic Tibetan areas revealed the hypocritical features of the Dalai clique, according to an expert on Tibetan studies.
The Dalai clique always claim that they would resort to "peaceful" and "non-violent" means to solve problems, but the recent riots only proves these claims are hypocritical, Monday's Guangming Daily reported, quoting Chen Qingying, a researcher from Institute of History under the China Tibetology Research Center.
The coincidence of recent riots in Lhasa and other ethnic Tibetan areas has proved the existence of a plot by the supporters of the Dalai Lama -- to seek "Tibet independence" at all costs, said Chen who has compiled a 10-volume General History of Tibet with other scholars.
"To realize their political ambition, they would not scruple to resort to violence," Chen was quoted as saying.
The fact the Dalai Lama and his supporters chose to create turmoil in Tibet and other areas ahead of the Olympics and make innocent people victims of riots shows that their "peaceful" and "non-violent" means are merely lies, he said.
Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
07:46, March 25, 2008
381 rioters in Aba county surrender to police
A total of 381 people involved in the riots in Aba county of Sichuan Province have surrendered themselves to the police as of Monday noon, according to local authorities.
Law enforcement authorities of the Tibetan county issued a notice last Wednesday, urging those who had taken part in the riots on March 16 to submit themselves within ten days.
"Among those surrendered, most are common people or monks deceived or coerced," said Shu Tao, chief of the Communist Party committee of a village where 40 people gave themselves in on Monday morning, following the 23 monks who surrendered on Sunday.
Riots in the Aba county erupted on the heels of the Lhasa unrest. Violent mobs, some shouting "Tibet independence" slogans and holding flags of the so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile", stormed into and attacked government offices, police stations, hospitals, schools and banks.
Total losses remained unknown yet.
Aba county, under the Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture with a population of 63,000, The county town is about 200 km from Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu.
Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All Rights Reserved
Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200803/20080325/article_353402.htm
Five confess over Lhasa deaths
Created: 2008-3-25 1:37:12
FIVE suspects have been detained over two arson attacks in which 10 people died during the Lhasa riots and have confessed, an official with the Ministry of Public Security said in Beijing yesterday.
Ministry spokesperson Shan Huimin briefed the public on the two arson cases at a press conference.
Three suspects have been detained over an arson attack at a shop named Yishion at 2:30pm on March 14 in which five female sales assistants were burnt to death.
In another case, two people were detained over an arson attack in a motorbike shop about 10pm on March 15, which caused the deaths of five victims including an eight-month old boy and his parents.
Lhasa erupted on March 14 when rioters set fire to and looted public facilities, buildings and shops. A total of 242 police officers have been injured, according to Shan.
Facts prove the March 14 riot was by no means a "peaceful demonstration" and "peaceful protest," but a severe and violent criminal incident.
The sabotage was well-organized, premeditated and an outcome of overseas forces instigating domestic separatists to resort to violence, he said.
Their ulterior motive was to disturb the Beijing Olympic Games, destroy peace and stability and split the country, Shan said. The whole nation is indignant and fiercely denounces the violence.
The suspects in the March 14 fire, young women, set fire to the remaining clothes after the store had already been looted, Shan said.
One suspect Ben'gyi, 21, used a lighter to ignite jeans, another suspect, also named Ben'gyi, 23, set fire to other clothes, while Qime Lhazom, 20, threw clothes on the fire.
The five victims, all in their 20s, were hiding in the shop.
Shan said the two male suspects involved in March 15 case are Loyar, 25 and Kangzug, 22. At 10pm, Loyar threw stones at shops, attacking police and setting fire to a grain shop named Minhe. He later joined Kangzug to break into and set fire to the motorbike shop.
Loyar went to a food shop next door and threw two liquid gas jars into the motorcycle shop, which caused the deaths of five victims hiding in a room on the second floor.
Shan said that the five suspects have confessed their guilt after initial investigation.
Xinhua
Copyright © 2001-2007 Shanghai Daily Publishing House
Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200803/20080325/article_353404.htm
China's gold medal-winning swimmer, Luo Xuejuan, carries the Olympic flame on the first relay after the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony in Greece yesterday. –Mal Langsdon
China's gold medal-winning swimmer, Luo Xuejuan, carries the Olympic flame on the first relay after the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony in Greece yesterday. –Mal Langsdon
Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou, playing the role of a high priestess, holds up the Olympic flame near the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia where the Olympics were born in 776 B.C. during the flame lighting ceremony yesterday. The flame will be handed over to the Beijing Olympic Committee on Sunday at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Games were held in 1896.
Games flame flares: Let the journey begin
Created: 2008-3-25 1:38:11
Author:Lydia Chen
THE flame for the Beijing Olympics was lit in Olympia, Greece, at 11:45am local time (5:45pm Beijing time) yesterday, marking the start of the longest torch relay in the Games history.
The lighting ceremony fittingly occurred near the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, where the Olympics were born in 776BC. Greek actresses in white gowns and sandals circled the lighting altar while "high priestess" Maria Nafpliotou offered a prayer to the ancient sun god Apollo before kindling the torch with sun rays among the ruins of the ancient games' birthplace at 11:45am.
Male dancers performed an ancient routine and held up olive wreaths to form the Olympic circles. They then escorted Nafpliotou and the flame to the entrance of the Olympia Amphitheater where she lit the torch for the first torchbearer Alexandros Nikolaidis, who won a silver medal for taekwondo at the 2004 Athens Games, and passed an olive branch to him.
Nikolaidis then ran across the amphitheater to head for the cemetery of Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), the father of the modern Olympic Games. His run started a 1,528-kilometer-long torch relay journey that involves 645 runners in Greece.
The flame will be handed over to the Beijing Olympics Committee on Sunday at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Games were held in 1896. The relay is scheduled to start in Beijing and then wind across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania, then back to Asia and China before the torch ignites the cauldron at the opening ceremony on August 8 in Beijing's 91,000-seat National Stadium.
The journey will cover 137,000 kilometers, the longest torch run in history, last 130 days and involve 22,000 torch-bearers around the world.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Olympia, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, the President of Greece's Olympic Committee and Liu Qi, the president of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee.
"Today will lead to the opening of the first ever Olympic Games in China, where one fifth of the world's population is longing for them," said Rogge.
"By crossing five continents and visiting 21 cities throughout the world, and more than 100 cities in China, the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay prepares the way to Beijing," he said.
Liu said: "The Olympic flame will radiate light and happiness, peace and friendship, and hope and dreams to the people of China and the whole world. Its rays will light up the starry skies during the Beijing Olympic Games."
Copyright © 2001-2007 Shanghai Daily Publishing House
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Tibetan Lawmakers add voices to condemnation against riot in Lhasa
BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Tibetan lawmakers attending the National People's Congress here in Beijing joined Tibetan Buddhist leaders and local Tibetans in condemnation against riotous activities in Lhasa which took away the peace in the plateau city.
Purbu, deputy to the National People's Congress, said he was "shocked and very much saddened" upon learning what happened in his hometown.
"I spoke to my wife over the phone. She was taking care of her ill mother in a hospital when the riot broke out on Friday. She didn't dare to go back home until Sunday morning," he said.
"The lives of the Tibetan people are getting better by the day. We can't afford any more disturbances," said the man, who lived 56 years in the city.
Another lawmaker Saizhoi, deputy head of a farming institute in Lhasa, said her fellow Tibetans needed solidarity, peace and better lives, and "the riotous sabotage was definitely not what the 2.8 million people in Tibet wanted to see".
"It was a only bunch of ill-disposed people attempting a stir," she said, "I talked to my family over the phone, and they told me things fortunately have calmed down now at present."
The 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu condemned the lawless riot in Lhasa, saying the sabotage acts run counter to the Buddhism tenets.
"The rioters' acts not only harmed the interests of the nation and the people, but also violated the aim of Buddhism," Panchen said.
An outburst of violence on Friday, which Tibetan regional government says was engineered by Dalai clique, has claimed the lives of 10 civilians and caused many injuries.
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China expects India to handle Tibet issue in line with agreements
Special report: Dalai's separatist activities condemned
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China expects the Indian government to handle Tibet issue in line with the agreements reached by two sides, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Tuesday.
China appreciates the position taken by the Indian government to handle the "Tibet independence" activities schemed by the Dalai clique, said the premier at a press conference after China's parliament ended its annual full session.
Tibet issue is sensitive in China-India relations but the two sides have reached broad agreements, he said. "I hope the Indian government can follow the agreements reached between the two countries and handle this issue in a correct way."
Asked about the border issue between China and India, the premier said, "This complex issue left from the past can not be expected to be resolved overnight."
New progress in the negotiation of addressing the border issue will be made as long as the two sides show sincerity and work on the principle of treating each other equally and making mutual accommodation, he said.
China and India set political parameters and guiding principles on the border issue in 2005, and 11 rounds of talks had been held as of September last year.
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chinaviewLatest NewsGovernmentOn the SceneBiased Reporting SlammedCommentsWorld ReactionsReports
German TV regrets error in riots report
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Photos reveal facts of Tibet riot
Chinese overseas missions undergo violent attacks
German media apologize for errors in covering Tibet riots
Two German news organizations have apologized after being accused of distorting facts in covering the riots in Lhasa, capital city of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Foreigners in Tibet: Western media reports not conform with facts
While some Western media rashly accuse China of "violent crackdown" on the "peaceful protests" in Tibet, some foreigners there disagreed.
Expert: Lhasa riot reveals hypocritical features of Dalai clique
The recent riots in Lhasa and some other ethnic Tibetan areas revealed the hypocritical features of the Dalai clique, according to an expert on Tibetan studies.
Five criminal suspects detained for setting fire in Lhasa riot
Five criminal suspects have been detained over two arson attacks in which 10 people died during the Lhasa riots and have confessed their guilt, said an official with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security here Monday.
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Latest News
Government's Stance
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Backgrounder: Historical facts of Tibet
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German media apologize for errors in covering Tibet riots
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Foreigners in Tibet: Western media reports not conform with facts
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Chinese State Councillor visits Tibet
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NW China living Buddha condemns riots in Tibetan-inhabited areas
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On The Scene
Biased Reporting Slammed
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Amercian poverty relief worker: Mobs take away peace in Lhasa
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Canadian tourists tell of atrocities by rioters in Lhasa
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Western tourists recount riots in Lhasa
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Photos reveal facts of Tibet riot
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Foreigners in Tibet: Western media reports not conform with facts
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Chinese experts condemn biased reports on Lhasa riot by western media
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Commentary: Facts about Tibet should not be distorted
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German news television regrets error in covering Tibet riots
Comments
World Reactions
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Expert: Lhasa riot reveals hypocritical features of Dalai clique
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Commentary: Don't disturb the Olympics
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Commentary: Facts about Tibet should not be distorted
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Double standards challenge U.S. Speaker's own conscience
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Foreigners in Tibet: Western media reports not conform with facts
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More international support for China's handling of Lhasa riots
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FM: India clarifies rumor of meeting Dalai
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Int'l community supports China's handling of Lhasa riots
Q&A
Achievements
Special Reports
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Beijing 2008 Olympics
Tibet in eyes of foreign journalists
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