Chinese state media says Tibet protests have spread to other provinces

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING - Chinese state media is saying for first time Tibet protests have spread to other provinces.

China's Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday on "riots in Tibetan-inhabited areas in the provinces of Sichuan and Gansu, both neighbouring Tibet." It blamed both incidents on supporters of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader in exile.

Xinhua said late Wednesday 170 people had surrendered for their role in last week's riots in Tibet's capital Lhasa.

China says 16 people were killed, denying Tibetan exile groups' claims that 80 died.

© The Canadian Press, 2008