Chinese ambassador to Canada mounts rare media offensive on Tibet violence

THE CANADIAN PRESS
China's ambassador to Canada says the Dalai Lama is a serial liar and those who attack China's record on human rights are being irresponsible.

In a rare news conference at his embassy, Lu Shumin defended the Chinese military's crackdown on Tibetan protesters that is threatening to disrupt this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.

The ambassador showed invited members of the media a video he says portrays violent street demonstrations in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa that had to be suppressed.

Lu shrugged off talk that some government officials from western countries could boycott the Olympic opening ceremonies as a result of the crackdown, saying no one has yet confirmed their attendance.

But he says politicizing the Games goes against the Olympic spirit and should not happen.

Lu's comments came the same day that U.S. President George W. Bush expressed concern about Tibet in a phone call to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

© The Canadian Press, 2008