BEIJING: The controversial Tibetan leg of the Olympic torch relay has been cut to just one day because of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province, a Beijing Olympics official said on Sunday.
The torch’s stop in Tibet — originally set for three days — has been criticised by Tibet activist groups who see it as an attempt by Beijing to symbolise its control over Tibet. China says it has ruled Tibet for centuries, although many Tibetans say their homeland was essentially independent for much of that time.
The cut to one day came after the relay was stopped for three days last week as part of a national period of mourning declared by the government to honour the victims of the May 12 Sichuan province earthquake that has killed more than 62,000 people.
The announcement also came two months after a violent uprising in ethnic Tibetan areas throughout China led to a security clampdown in the region. China has said life is returning to normal, and monasteries are reopening in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa.
But foreigners are still banned and until recently Chinese were advised to stay away.
