Overseas Chinese hold posters and China's national flags during a rally supporting 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and opposing "Tibet independence" separatist forces in Ottawa of Canada, April 13, 2008. Some 10,000 Chinese Canadians and Chinese students held a rally in Ottawa Sunday to voice anger at Tibetan separatists' violence in Lhasa and western media's distorted coverage. (Xinhua Photo)
Tens of thousands of overseas Chinese have held rallies in Western countries to voice anger over Tibetan separatists' violent acts in Lhasa, the Western media's biased coverage against China and to show support for the Beijing Olympics.
Most of the rallies were the largest held by Chinese communities in these countries and all were staged peacefully.
In Ottawa, Canada, about 10,000 Chinese people held a rally on Parliament Hill on Sunday. The three-hour rally featured speeches, statements and patriotic songs, including China's national anthem, which was sung repeatedly.
Protesters chanted: "No riots," "No distortion," "Do you know the true Tibet?", "Don't mix sports and politics," "We want our home in one piece," and "Tibet was, is and always will be a part of China." Most protesters were dressed in red T-shirts printed with a map of China and the words "One China, One Family."
They urged Canada's media to avoid biased reports.
Waving the flags of both China and Canada, they urged Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to improve Sino-Canadian relationships.