Chinese embassy releases CD ‘to show the real picture’

Kolkata, April 7 The riots that ravaged Lhasa on March 14 were nothing but criminal activities indulged in by secessionists and it was not a peaceful rally that was ruthlessly put down by the Chinese armed forces as touted by foreign media, claimed Mao Siwei, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, who released a CD on behalf of the Chinese embassy, depicting the violence at Lhasa, at his residence at Salt Lake.

The Chinese diplomat, who showed the CD to the reporters, said the purpose behind showing the CD was to depict the true picture as Western media has distorted it.

“A lot of canards are being spread in India and other places about the Tibetan situation. I am releasing the video clips of what actually happened there. I tell everybody that Tibet is a sensitive issue and people should talk to both Beijing and Dharmashala before coming to a conclusion,” Mao said.

According to him, all the activities that took place at Lhasa were aimed at sabotaging the Olympics. “Why did it happen on the eve of the Olympics? It is just aimed at disrupting the proceedings. And in India, those who are organising protests against China are inimical not only to China but India too,” the Chinese diplomat said.

Mao also appreciated the stand taken by both the Indian government and the CPM regarding the Tibet issue. “Your foreign minister said India would not tolerate any Tibetan protests against China on Indian soil and we appreciate that. We also appreciated CPM general secretary Prakash Karat’s statement that supporting the cause of the independence of Tibet will be a great disservice to India itself because India is also facing the problem of secessionism at several places,” said Mao.