Separatists' attack on torch denounced

China yesterday denounced Tibetan separatists for disrupting the Olympic torch relay in London and Paris, saying their "despicable" behavior has defiled the Olympic spirit and defied people who love the Games.

"We strongly condemn the deliberate disruptions of the Olympic torch relay by Tibetan separatist forces in total disregard for the Olympic spirit and the law of Britain and France," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu yesterday in a press release.

The Beijing Olympics is a shared event for people worldwide, as is the torch relay, Jiang said, adding the separatists' "despicable activities tarnished the lofty Olympic spirit and challenged all people who love the Olympic Games around the world".