French ambassador "felt hurt" by disruption in Paris

Source: China Daily | 04-19-2008 14:53

The French ambassador to China has said he would like to meet the disabled Chinese torchbearer who was attacked in Paris during the Olympic torch relay to express his regret over the disruption.

"I deeply regret what happened during the torch relay in Paris," Herve Ladsous told a press conference on Friday.

He said he also felt hurt when he saw Jin Jing, a Paralympic athlete in a wheelchair, being attacked by violent Tibetan separatists.

"I hope I can meet Jin Jing in person to show friendship and my deep regret," Ladsous said.

Torchbearer Jin Jing (in wheelchair), a Chinese Para-Olympic athlete, protects the torch to resist protestors' disruptions as she runs along the Seine River in the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Paris, April 7, 2008. [sohu.com]

The 27-year-old from Shanghai became a household name in China for protecting the torch while separatists tried to wrestle it away during the Paris leg of the relay on April 7. She has been dubbed the "Smiling angel in the wheelchair".

As well as hailing her courage, Chinese have expressed outrage at the attack, which they believe was made possible with the connivance of the French authorities.

Minutes before the Paris relay began, Tibetan "independence" flags were unfurled at the City Hall.

"The mayor of Paris (Bertrand Delanoe) should take responsibility," Ladsous said.

"One thing is clear: Similar incidents didn't take place in central government institutions," he said.