CHINA-BRITAIN/XI PARLIAMENT PROTEST Tibetan activists protest as Xi heads to UK parliament

Record ID: 136115

  • Title: CHINA-BRITAIN/XI PARLIAMENT PROTEST Tibetan activists protest as Xi heads to UK parliament
  • Date: 20th October 2015
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (OCTOBER 20, 2015) (REUTERS) TIBET PROTESTERS IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE/BIG BEN IN BACKGROUND ANTI-CHINA PROTESTERS AND CHINA SUPPORTERS STANDING IN TWO CAMPS ON PARLIAMENT SQUARE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SHOUTING "FREE TIBET" (SOUNDBITE) (English) TSERING KHANDO, 'FREE TIBET' PROTESTER, SAYING: "I'm just simply like, requesting David Cameron not to undermine h
  • Embargoed: 4th November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9AF8O5YTYQ9PW2XFMXPIEAZIR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Parliament Square in London was a riot of colourful flags and slogan-shouting as rival groups staged contrasting demonstrations at the start of Chinese President Xi Jinping's four-day State visit on Tuesday (October 20).
    'Free Tibet' activists shouted anti-Beijing chants as Chinese students shouted back in support of their government wearing "I love China" tee-shirts.
    British Prime Minister David Cameron is being urged not to shelve human rights issues in favour of wooing Chinese investment.
    "To be honest I am really disappointed. I thought Britain was always on the side of the human rights, that it was one of the top priorities, but this time, even before he turned up they don't want to talk about anything that is relating to human rights," said Sonam Anjtsang.
    Xi, who addressed lawmakers inside parliament on Tuesday afternoon, doesn't normally see demonstrations against his rule inside China.
    Tibet exiles are relishing their chance to make their voice heard everywhere Xi travels in the UK.
    "It's about the community here who have basically come to this Parliament Square, to give this message and to remind the Chinese president that the issue of Tibet hasn't been forgotten. The political repression, the abuse of human rights, crackdown on religious freedom and freedom of speech in Tibet is not acceptable and this is why we are here," said Tsering Passang, Chairman of the Tibetan Community UK.
    A glittering State Banquet is being held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening and the human rights campaigners are planning to make their voices heard outside that event too.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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