Some 400 people gathered outside the Chinese embassy in Warsaw to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation. The demonstration was organised by the Polish Tibetan Friendship Association. (10 March 2002)



On Saturday afternoon the red Chinese dragon held on leash by a Tibetan hunter, accompanied by hundreds of demonstrators, walked along the streets of Warsaw making towards the building of the Chinese embassy, where the main part of the demonstration took place. The protesters were draped in Tibetan flags and carried signs reading: “Never forget Tibet,” “Freedom for Tibet,” and “China, leave Tibet.” The demonstrators also performed a candlelight vigil to commemorate Tibetans who have died in the struggle since the People´s Republic of China occupied the country more than 50 years ago.

The demonstration came one day after the People´s Republic of China rejected the latest US appeal to start a dialogue with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.