China stands firm on Tibet relay
Written: 9th April, 2008
China has reaffirmed its commitment to take the Olympic torch through Tibet despite strong international pressure.
Tibet's Chinese-backed governor said he would take personal responsibility for the torch's safety and "severely punish" all who tried to obstruct it.
Qiangba Puncog's remarks came as hundreds of pro-Tibet protesters marched through San Francisco ahead of the torch relay there.
Security is tight after chaotic scenes at previous relays in London and Paris.
Earlier Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd became the latest Western leader to criticise China's human rights record in Tibet, and called for dialogue between Beijing and the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
In a speech to Peking University students on his first visit to China as prime minister, Mr Rudd said it was necessary to recognise there were "significant human rights problems" in the region.
Source BBC news