Tibetan mountaineers have vowed all-out efforts to ensure the smooth movement of the torch relay for the upcoming Olympic Games, after Olympic organizers said the Tibet leg will go ahead as planned despite the recent riot in Lhasa.

"The more the Dalai clique tries to sabotage the Games and the torch relay, the more we should do in terms of the preparation and operation work," said Yin Xunping, an official with the Tibet mountaineering expedition that will participate in carrying the torch to the Mount Qomolangma (Everest) summit.

"We shall go all out to ensure the smooth movement of the torch relay. We must strengthen ethnic unity while hostile forces try to drive a wedge between ethnic groups," the official said.

Tibet sport officials criticized the Dalai-backed riot, saying the Olympic Games were a dream of China and the Dalai clique would not be able to disrupt them.

Degyi Zhoiyar, head of the administration, urged sport officials in Tibet to be prepared for a struggle against secessionist activities.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2008)