Immolations: Beijing asks US to stay clear

China yesterday warned the US against interfering in its domestic affairs after Washington expressed “serious concern” over a spate of self-immolations by Tibetan monks.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to and safeguards the various basic rights of ethnic groups, including their freedom of religious belief,” foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters.
“We firmly oppose making use of religious affairs to interfere in China’s domestic affairs,” he said in response to a question about Washington’s concerns. State media reported Monday that a Tibetan monk died after self-immolating in the northwestern province of Qinghai, taking to 15 the number of people who have set themselves on fire in Tibetan areas in less than a year.
It was the first time the Tibetan-inhabited province had been hit by such a death. Most self-immolations have taken place in neighbouring Sichuan province, in what rights groups say are protests against perceived religious repression. AFP
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