A picture circulating on the Internet showing the Chinese Armed police carrying monk's robes has been identified. The police turned out to be movie extras.

A picture circulating on the Internet showing the Chinese Armed police carrying monk''s robes has been identified. The police turned out to be movie extras.

Ever since the March 14th riots in Lhasa, there have been claims by some people overseas that Chinese Armed Police dressed as Tibetan monks to join the violence. And a picture spreading through the Internet was used to prove this.

But this picture was actually taken during a movie shoot in 2001. The police were acting as extras in the movie and were handed out costumes for their roles as monks. Policemen Liu Pengbo was one of the actors on that day.

Policemen Liu Pengbo was one of the actors on that day.

Liu Pengbo said, "This picture was taken in November, 2001. The armed police in Tibet were taking part in the movie called 'The Touch.' We were wearing the 1987 style of uniform at that time. That uniform was changed in 2006. So this picture is obviously taken before 2006."

People also found the bicycles on the picture is no long used any more.

(CCTV April 6, 2008)