Taiwan condemns China for bloodshed in Tibet

Mar 15, 2008, 10:11 GMT

Taipei - Taiwan on Saturday condemned China for armed suppression of pro-democracy movement in Tibet, saying this proves Beijing's so-called peaceful rise was just a phony promise.

'China used military troops, police and tanks to suppress peaceful demonstration of Tibetan people, resulting in serious clashes and casualties,' said the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) in a statement.

'This once again indicates the notorious human rights record of China,' it said.

Chinese authorities on Saturday deployed troops and tanks in Lhasa, demanding that Tibetan rioters surrender to police or face more serious punishment for the violence that claimed at least 10 lives following escalating pro-independence protests.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also condemned the atrocity of China. 'Its claim of peaceful rise in the region is nothing but a phony promise,' the ministry said in a separated statement.

The two government departments used the latest incident to warn Taiwanese people against harbouring the illusion that China would make peace with the island.

'The barbaric act of China has enabled Taiwan people to realize that the dictatorial Chinese regime will never resolve cross-strait problems by peaceful means,' MAC said.

Taiwan and China have been at loggerheads since the two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan an integral part of China that must be brought back to the Chinese fold, has repeatedly warned that if Taiwan declares independence, it would send forces to attack the island.

It has offered to hold peace talks with Taiwan if the island is willing to accept the mainland's 'one China' policy.