China faces crisis as Tibet riots continue

AM - Monday, 17 March , 2008  08:02:00

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TONY EASTLEY: China is facing a full-scale crisis in the run up to the Olympic Games as the rioting in Tibet continues.

While Tibetans and monks take their protests to the streets, other demonstrations have broken out in the neighbouring Chinese province of Sichuan.

Chinese authorities have responded with lethal force; there are differing reports on the number dead - some say three, others say seven and then the Tibetan authorities themselves say it's much, much higher.

Our China Correspondent Stephen McDonell reports from Beijing.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: The Tibetan rebellion against Chinese rule is spreading. It started in Tibet proper but has now moved to greater Tibet which spills over into four Chinese provinces.

The latest flashpoint was an attack on a police station in Ngawa town, Sichuan Province.

According to Reuters, 200 Tibetans throwing rocks and petrol bombs destroyed the police station. Tibetans were shot dead there when police opened fire on protesters, according to another report.

Matt Whitticase from the NGO Free Tibet Campaign says one witness who saw the killings is too afraid to speak out.

MATT WHITTICASE: He saw 13 Tibetans shot dead. They were monks, one of whose name was Lobthang Pashe (phonetic). There were also unconfirmed reports that up to 30 people have been shot in Ngawa town in Sichuan but what we can confirm with confidence is that 13 Tibetans have been shot dead.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: In the Northern Gansu Province, bus loads of extra troops and riot police moved into Xiahe overnight. Earlier police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of monks there when they marched out of the historic Labrang Monastery.

Local residents also joined the protest in Xiahe, smashing windows in Government buildings, including the local police headquarters.

Xiahe is now locked down, with reporters being prevented from entering. Free Tibet Campaign says its contacts are reporting widespread unrest there.

MATT WHITTICASE: There were huge protests yesterday in Gansu Province. We understand up to 20,000 Tibetans protested in the Chinese town of Xiahe, led by monks from Labrang Monastery.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: These mass riots which started in Lhasa have sent shock waves through China.

Five months before the Olympic Games, the world has seen monks lead increasingly violent protests which are clearly designed to force China out of Tibet.

The Government of President Hu Jintao has responded with overwhelming military force. It's gambling that it can control the media images coming out of Tibet so that rioting Tibetans are shown, rather than tanks, armoured cars and riot police killing unarmed protesters.

This morning Lhasa is quiet. Widespread damage has been done to the city but security forces are now in complete control of the streets.

The Chinese Government has given those who've participated in rioting until midnight tonight to surrender themselves to police. If they do so, the Government has promised less severe punishment. If they don't they could face execution.