China speaks out against torch disruptions

Officials in Paris on Monday were forced to extinguish theOlympic flame and carry it by bus when anti-China protesterstried to seize it. During the British leg the day before,activists waving Tibetan flags and shouting "Shame on China"turned the event into an obstacle course.

"We express our strong condemnation of the deliberatedisruption of the Olympic torch relay by 'Tibetan independence'separatist forces, who gave no thought to the Olympic spirit orthe laws of Britain and France," Foreign Ministry spokeswomanJiang Yu said in a statement posted at www.fmprc.gov.cn.

"Their despicable activities tarnish the lofty Olympicspirit."

China had hoped the Olympic torch relay would by a symbolof unity in the run-up to the Games, which open in Beijing onAugust 8 and which are a source of immense national pride.