READY TO HANDLE INCIDENT

Hu's remarks came ahead of several sensitive dates in Tibet.

Tibet will mark the 50th anniversary of the abolishment of slavery and the theocratic regime of the Dalai Lama on March 28.

On March 10, 1959, in an attempt to preserve the old serfdom, the nobles and slave owners staged an armed rebellion, which was foiled by the central government of China.

The riot changed everything in Tibet. The Communists soon decided that democratic reform should be carried out immediately to demolish the entire old system led by the Dalai Lama.

The Preparatory Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region replaced the Gaxag government and set out to lead the reform.

From 1959 to until 1966, 1 million slaves were granted land, houses and their freedom.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India, has maintained a government-in-exile since 1959, and China has charged that this group was behind the riot in Lhasa on March 14 last year and other Tibetan areas of China.

Earlier on Sunday, Legqog, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Congress, said the Dalai clique has increased its secessionist and sabotage activities in Tibet this year.

"They made attempts to make trouble through collusion with those inside or even sending in their people," he said.

"Although Tibet is currently very stable, our troops are ready to handle any infiltration and sabotage activities by the Dalai Lama clique and other hostile forces," Kang Jinzhong, political commissar of armed police corps in Tibet, told Xinhua Monday.

"All the armed police forces across Tibet are on routine duty. The armed police force has the ability to handle any emergencies an any time," he said.

Tibetan people are "very simple and kind" and their heart stood with the Party, according to Kang, who has been working in Tibet for more than three year.

"If there were really disturbance, it must be caused by a few people instigated under the disguise of religious cause," he said, adding up to now armed police in Tibet had not found any "abnormal situation."

Kang said some hostile forces or "a handful of people" might be making preparations for making trouble, but their conspiracy would not succeed.

Some overseas media have reported that conflict might arise at any time in Tibet, but Kang said that was "purely talking nonsense."

"I am completely relaxed. To be frankly, if Tibet were in a tense situation, I would not have come here for the parliamentary session or talk to you," he told Xinhua, adding, "I'm confident so I'm here for the session."

Kang said Tibet did not experience any instability after the March 14 riot in Lhasa.

The riot, occurring in Lhasa during last year's parliamentary session, caused 18 deaths and huge economic losses.