Chinese officials have criticized Western media for their reporting of the violence in Tibet, urging them to provide more objective coverage of the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday he knows foreign media are gravely concerned about criminal violence in Tibet, but some reports have seriously distorted the facts.

He reiterated that the Dalai Lama is not only a religious figure but also a political exile who engaged in separatist activities and undermining national unity under the guise of religion.

The serious criminal acts of violence, involving beatings, destruction of property, looting and arson in Lhasa, was premeditated, organized and instigated by the Dalai clique, Qin said.

He added that the incident demonstrated the clique's separatist nature, as well as the hypocrisy and deception of their proclamations of reverence for "peace" and "nonviolence".

Responding to reports that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown would meet the Dalai Lama during the Lama's visit to London in May, Qin urged Britain to have a clear understanding of the Dalai Lama's true face and offer no support for his secessionist activities.

Qin said the central government's policy towards Dalai is consistent and explicit, adding the government will not just listen to what he says but more importantly, observe what he does.

(China Daily, March 21, 2008)