China used some of its strongest language yet in reference to the Dalai Lama, calling him a "wolf in monk's robes" Wednesday and saying a "life-and-death battle" is underway with his followers.
A Tibetan monk shouts pro-freedom slogans as Tibetans hold a peace march against China's crackdown, in Katmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. (AP / Saurabh Das)
China is facing the biggest threat to its rule of Tibet in two decades.
Official media in China was reporting Wednesday that more than 100 people had surrendered to police in and around Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. China maintains that 16 people have died in the protests. However, Tibet's government in exile, based in India, said that the number of people is closer to 80.
China has accused the Dalai Lama of orchestrating the protests which began as peaceful demonstrations ahead of this summer's Beijing Olympics.
They turned violent on Friday, with Chinese forces cracking down on protesters and the international community beginning to focus its attention on the nation's human rights record.
On Tuesday, Tibetan rioters spilled into the neighbouring Chinese province of Gansu Tuesday and tried to storm a government office, despite efforts by the military to quell protests against Chinese rule.
Roughly 100 armed troops holed up inside the building repelled the protesters with tear gas, as CTV cameras filmed the confrontation.
Tibetans protesters streamed into the area after hearing Chinese troops were cracking down on a monastery.
"They were having none of it," said CTV's Beijing Bureau Chief Steve Chao, who was one of the only Western journalists in the area.
"We saw them chanting the battle cry of the Tibetans, they tore down Chinese flags and put up the Tibetan flag and were very much calling for independence and the end to the oppression they say the Chinese government has put on their people."
One protester, bleeding profusely from the head, said he had been beaten by the soldiers.
On the same day, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was considering a proposal by the head of the European Parliament and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, who have suggested boycotting the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Kouchner said the idea should be discussed later this month when EU foreign ministers meet.
However, he insisted that France has no plans to skip the Games and he added that a full boycott would not be "just."
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that recent violent demonstrations by Tibetans were well-planned.
"There is ample fact -- and we also have plenty of evidence -- proving that this incident was organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," Wen said.
"This has all the more revealed that the consistent claims made by the Dalai clique that they pursue not independence but peaceful dialogue are nothing but lies."
Wen made the comments to reporters at his annual news conference at the end of China's national legislative session.
The Dalai Lama has maintained that he is not behind the violence, said Chao, reporting from the China-Tibet border.
"For the most part the Dalai Lama has urged both sides to show restraint," said Chao.
"He has always advocated peace rather than violence. So, in this case, he says if it is proven at all that he is involved he will step down."
On Tuesday, the Dalai Lama warned that he would leave his post as leader of Tibet's government-in-exile if Tibetan protesters in China continued to act out violently.
Tibetans began protesting early last week, timed for the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against the Chinese government. China took control of a then-independent Tibet in 1950.
A Tibetan monk shouts pro-freedom slogans as Tibetans hold a peace march against China's crackdown, in Katmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. (AP / Saurabh Das)
China is facing the biggest threat to its rule of Tibet in two decades. Official media in China was reporting Wednesday that more than 100 people had surrendered to police in and around Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. China maintains that 16 people have died in the protests. However, Tibet's government in exile, based in India, said that the number of people is closer to 80.
China has accused the Dalai Lama of orchestrating the protests which began as peaceful demonstrations ahead of this summer's Beijing Olympics.
They turned violent on Friday, with Chinese forces cracking down on protesters and the international community beginning to focus its attention on the nation's human rights record.
On Tuesday, Tibetan rioters spilled into the neighbouring Chinese province of Gansu Tuesday and tried to storm a government office, despite efforts by the military to quell protests against Chinese rule.
Roughly 100 armed troops holed up inside the building repelled the protesters with tear gas, as CTV cameras filmed the confrontation.
Tibetans protesters streamed into the area after hearing Chinese troops were cracking down on a monastery.
"They were having none of it," said CTV's Beijing Bureau Chief Steve Chao, who was one of the only Western journalists in the area.
"We saw them chanting the battle cry of the Tibetans, they tore down Chinese flags and put up the Tibetan flag and were very much calling for independence and the end to the oppression they say the Chinese government has put on their people."
One protester, bleeding profusely from the head, said he had been beaten by the soldiers.
On the same day, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was considering a proposal by the head of the European Parliament and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, who have suggested boycotting the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Kouchner said the idea should be discussed later this month when EU foreign ministers meet.
However, he insisted that France has no plans to skip the Games and he added that a full boycott would not be "just."
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that recent violent demonstrations by Tibetans were well-planned.
"There is ample fact -- and we also have plenty of evidence -- proving that this incident was organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," Wen said.
"This has all the more revealed that the consistent claims made by the Dalai clique that they pursue not independence but peaceful dialogue are nothing but lies."
Wen made the comments to reporters at his annual news conference at the end of China's national legislative session.
The Dalai Lama has maintained that he is not behind the violence, said Chao, reporting from the China-Tibet border.
"For the most part the Dalai Lama has urged both sides to show restraint," said Chao.
"He has always advocated peace rather than violence. So, in this case, he says if it is proven at all that he is involved he will step down."
On Tuesday, the Dalai Lama warned that he would leave his post as leader of Tibet's government-in-exile if Tibetan protesters in China continued to act out violently.
Tibetans began protesting early last week, timed for the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against the Chinese government. China took control of a then-independent Tibet in 1950.
