UK police arrest Tibet activists during Wen visit

British police arrested five pro-Tibet demonstrators in London yesterday, police said, during a visit by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

The protesters, waving Tibetan flags, broke through police ranks as Mr Wen arrived at the Chinese embassy as part of a European tour aimed at improving relations and building a consensus on how to deal with the global economic downturn.

"Tibetans here are determined to hold Wen Jiabao to account for the ongoing and worsening situation in Tibet," Free Tibet activist Matt Whitticase said.

"We also want to send a message to (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown. Brown must get tough with Mr Wen. He must demonstrate his belief in human rights and (that) freedom is universal, even when it is politically inconvenient."

Mr Brown is meeting Mr Wen several times during the three-day visit to Britain, and Free Tibet campaigners have planned demonstrations to coincide with the Chinese premier's schedule.

Mr Wen was also greeted at the embassy by a small, friendlier crowd celebrating Chinese New Year and waving Chinese flags. Relations between China and Europe have been strained over human rights in Tibet and its exiled Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, who Beijing regards as a dangerous separatist for wanting Tibetan autonomy.

Mountainous, remote Tibet was rocked by violent anti-Chinese protests in March last year, which China blamed on the Dalai Lama. Rights groups say hundreds of protesters remain in jail and are subjected to harsh treatment and even torture.