China appreciates India's steps to quell Tibetan protests

New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) Amid continuing protest by Tibetans against the Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit here, China today appreciated the "effective" and "concrete" measures taken by India in quelling the demonstrations and ensuring safe and smooth holding of the BRICS summit. Chinese government also expressed regret over "troubles" created by the pro-Tibetan elements for India ahead and during the fourth Summit of BRICS, acronym for the grouping which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. Hu's two-day visit for the meeting triggered a wave of anti-China protests despite crackdown on Tibetans and stepped-up security by police for the meeting. "The Chinese side appreciates the effective and concrete measures taken by the Government of India in overcoming the disruptions and the disturbances and in ensuring the safe and smooth holding of the (BRICS) summit meeting," Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs in Chinese government Luo Zhaohui said. Luo, who is part of Hu's delegation here, accused the Dalai Lama and the pro-Tibetan elements of trying to push "extreme and radical views by glorifying and instigating extreme behaviour." "This is not consistent with teachings of Buddhism and it (the protests) is aimed at political purposes. We are strongly opposed to it," he said. A group of Tibetans today unfurled a Tibetan flag near the five-star hotel where Hu was attending the BRICS summit while yesterday, a group of Tibetans attempted to storm Oberoi Hotel where the Chinese President is staying. Apparently referring to death of a Tibetan youth here who had set himself ablaze during a protest against Hu's visit here, Luo expressed regret over loss of innocent life. PTI