BEIJING: China has deported eight Americans and released a Briton and a German, who were detained for a week for holding a series of pro-Tibet demonstrations during the Beijing Olympics.
Their release comes a day after Washington voiced its "disappointment" that China had not used the Games "to demonstrate greater tolerance." The American nationals left China while the Olympic closing ceremony was taking place.
The US Ambassador to China Clark T Randt had asked the Chinese government for the immediate release of the Americans held here since August 20. They were deported by authorities on a flight to Los Angeles.
Six Americans were detained on August 20, were members of the group 'Free Tibet Reporters' while the other two were apprehended on August 21 after hanging 'Free Tibet' banner near an Olympic venue.
Two other detainees, a Briton and a German, were reportedly also freed, BBC reported. They had been among dozens of foreigners who evaded security checks to demonstrate in favour of Tibetan independence and were arrested on 20-21 August.
"We encourage the government of China to demonstrate respect for human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion of all people during the Olympic Games and beyond," the US Embassy had said in a statement.
"These rights are protected by China's own constitution and by international human rights standards to which China has agreed. We are disappointed that China has not used the occasion of the Olympics to demonstrate greater tolerance and openness."
Florian Norbu Gyanatshang, an ethnic Tibetan German, is reported by German media to have been released and to be on his way home.
They had faced up to 10 days in custody after hanging a "Free Tibet" banner near an Olympic venue and holding other small demonstrations.
US President George W Bush, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics here on August 8, despite pressure from human rights groups, had pressed China on the sensitive issue.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown used the visit to Beijing for the Olympics closing ceremony to intervene personally to secure the release of the British national, media reports said.
