Bjork's Tibet Protest Offends Chinese Fans

Björk is under attack after shouting "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end of her song Declare Independence at a concert in Shanghai.

Her remark was not reported in official media, but led to criticism when it began to circulate on the web. While China's 58-year occupation of Tibet remains controversial abroad, most Chinese see Tibet as a part of their country and regard calls for its independence as intrusive and divisive.

One fan said it was "disrespectful" and "very selfish" to raise the issue while visiting China.

The Icelandic singer first dedicated Declare Independence to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which still have formal links to Denmark, and the song's video shows her in clothing bearing their flags. She dedicated the song to Kosovo while performing in Japan last month.

Its lyrics include: "Don't let them do that to you. Raise your flag!"

Matt Whitticase, spokesman for the London-based Free Tibet Movement, said it was delighted by her remarks, contrasting them with Gordon Brown and David Miliband's "shameful" decision not to raise the issue publicly on their recent visits to Beijing.

Icelandic singer Bjork drew criticism from Chinese fans after she declared: "Tibet! Tibet!" to end a passionate performance of her song, Declare Independence, during a concert in Shanghai.

The outburst, at the finale of Bjork's concert in the city, made audience members uneasy, by drawing rare public attention to China's often harsh rule over Tibet.

Audience member Stephen Gow, a British teacher who lives in Shanghai, said the atmosphere turned strange and concertgoers hurriedly left the Shanghai International Gymnastic Centre.