TAIWAN/CHINA: Tibetan exiles and supporters in Taiwan hold a global day of prayer for Tibet where China has stepped up security following a series of self-immolations and sporadic protests

Record ID: 858805

  • Title: TAIWAN/CHINA: Tibetan exiles and supporters in Taiwan hold a global day of prayer for Tibet where China has stepped up security following a series of self-immolations and sporadic protests
  • Date: 9th February 2012
  • Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (FEBRUARY 8, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF CANDLELIGHT VIGIL SUPPORTERS HOLDING PLACARDS SUPPORTER SINGING TIBETAN NATIONAL SONG TIBETAN FLAG MONKS STANDING ON THE SIDE, HOLDING UMBRELLAS
  • Embargoed: 24th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Taiwan, Province of China, China
  • City:
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAE6ABGOAO3Q9QO346S4R7FBLTG
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Supporters and exiled Tibetans gathered in Taipei on Wednesday (February 8) to pray for Tibet where a series of self-immolations and sporadic protests have prompted China to step up security.
    China on Tuesday (February 7) defended its shooting of Tibetan protesters, saying that a string of protests and self-immolations in Tibetan areas were masterminded by forces trying to split the country.
    Tibetan advocacy groups say as many as seven Tibetans were shot dead and dozens wounded during last month's protest, while over a dozen Tibetans have burned themselves in recent months in a heavily Tibetan part of Sichuan province.
    In the latest unrest, three Tibetans had set themselves ablaze on Friday (February 3) in protest against Chinese rule, Radio Free Asia reported.
    China has stepped up its already-heavy security across the mountainous region which it calls Tibet Autonomous Region.
    The Chinese government has repeatedly blamed exiled Tibetans for stoking the protests, including spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising.
    Wednesday's vigil in Taipei where Tibetan exiles, monks and supporters held up portraits of those who killed themselves by self-immolation is part of a global action organised by advocacy groups.
    "We came all together here just to be our respect the person who have been burn themselves in Tibet, give their lives to Tibet. So we just want to give our support to them. So we gathered here," said Nima Bhundsok , a 48-year-old Tibetan living in Taiwan.
    Tibet's government in exile said on Monday (February 6) that the spate of self-immolations "indicate to us that the Chinese policies in Tibet have reached new levels of repression".
    China has ruled Tibet since 1950, when Communist troops marched in. It rejects criticism that it is eroding Tibetan culture and faith, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development to a backward region.
    "Violent crimes and looting took place in the Tibetan area in Sichuan, so it is understandable that China took certain measures in certain areas in response to the situation. It is also in accordance with the aspiration (for peace and stability) of the local people," said Liu Weimin, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, at a news briefing in Beijing.
    In March 2008, riots and protests erupted in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, and spread to other regions in China's western border regions including Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu provinces.
    On Saturday (February 4), U.S. Senator John McCain warned Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun that "the Arab Spring is coming to China" and highlighted the number of Tibetans burning themeselves to death.
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