Chinese embassy in Nepal refutes "Tibet independence" group´s rumor

Source: Xinhua | 06-23-2008 15:46

KATHMANDU, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A statement published in a Nepali newspaper by a "Tibet independence" group is "totally groundless and deceptive," a spokesman of the Chinese embassy in Nepal has said.

The embassy was "aware that recently the so-called 'Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum' issued a press statement on The Himalayan Times," which accused the Chinese government of killing 209 Tibetans, injuring more than 1,000 and arresting 5,972 others when handling the March 14 riot in Lhasa, said the spokesman.

"This is totally groundless and deceptive," he said.

"It is well-known that the Lhasa riot on March 14 was a criminal act of violence involving beating, smashing, looting and burning masterminded and implemented by a handful of 'Tibet independence' separatists aimed at disturbing and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games under the instigation of the Dalai clique's 'Tibetan government-in-exile.'" he added.

"It was by no means a 'peaceful demonstration'. The riot resulted in the death of 18 innocent people, and injuries to more than 300 others. Many schools and shops were smashed up or burned down," the spokesman said.

"Local police exercised great restraint and didn't carry any lethal weapons when dealing with the riot. On the contrary, they were attacked by mobs with more than 240 policemen being injured, 23 of them in critical condition, and one being killed. Therefore, what was said in the aforesaid statement was sheer lies aimed at deceiving Tibetan compatriots home and abroad, instigating ethnic hatred and cheating kind people of their sympathy," he said, adding that the social order has been restored in Lhasa.

He said the Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum is an organization seeking "Tibet independence" with attempts to undermine the China-Nepal friendly relations.

"It aims to split Tibet from China by engaging in anti-China political activities. Tibet has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times, which is an unchangeable historic fact. Any attempt to split Tibet from China is doomed to failure," said the spokesman.

Editor:Zhang Ning