By Wang Jiaquan (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-27 07:23

The world watched with fingers crossed as the Olympic torch was lit in the birthplace of the ancient games, Greece.

Ever since Beijing won the bid to host the 29th Summer Olympiad, there have been efforts to use the event to criticize China, be it the country's foreign or domestic issues.

Since the start of the torch relay, a handful of Tibetan separatists and their supporters, have been doing their utmost to disrupt it.

The disruption is only part of a conspiracy the Dalai Lama clique has formulated to use the Olympics as leverage against the Chinese government and attract international attention to its secessionist attempts.

The recent riots in Lhasa, and in other ethnic Tibetan areas, has proved the existence of the plot hatched by Tibetan secessionists.

Since the end of the 1970s, the Dalai Lama and his backers, frustrated by China's continuous diplomatic success, have been seeking platforms to internationalize the Tibet issue.

But their plot to sabotage the Beijing event is doomed to fail; the Olympic Games is an international event, not to be used as a platform for violence or political disputes.

Some secessionists have resorted to radical means to serve their ulterior motive, even at the cost of sacrificing the Games, an occasion for the promotion of world peace, harmony and friendship.

Disruption to the torch relay and the riots, however, is just the start.

The international community, true sports lovers and opponents of violence must stand fast against any attempt to undermine the Olympics, as the event not only belongs to Beijing and China, it is also a solemn international event that should never be disrupted by politics.

Xinhua News Agency

(China Daily 03/27/2008 page9)