CRI听力：Chinese Expatriates in Europ and NA Hold Pro-China Protests

Chinese expatriates have staged peaceful demonstrations in several European and North American cities in support of the Beijing Olympics. They expressed their anger at the "pro-Tibet independence" activists' attacks of the Olympic torch relay.

CRI's Zheng Chenguang reports.

Reporter:

In Paris, thousands of pro-China demonstrators met at the Place de la Republic on Saturday.

Many wore T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Let's make the Olympics a bridge, not a wall," in French.

One Chinese student said people who misunderstand China should visit it.

"We are very sorry about French people and foreigners who have a bad attitude towards the Chinese people. Because Chinese people are really eager to welcome countries of the world. So I hope you can go to China, to see the country with your own eyes, your own experience. And I hope you don't suffer intellectual idleness. You should not listen to others but see and discover this country on your own."

Joseph, a French national, said some French people should rethink what they did on April 7th, when the torch relay passed through Paris.(www.hXen.com)

"What happened in Paris is not acceptable. Humiliating the Olympics is a shame for France. I think those who blindly yell around should listen to what others say and see with their own eyes. "
France has been the target of backlash by China supporters angry about pro-Tibetan protests during the Paris leg of the Olympic torch relay earlier this month. In CHINA on Saturday people picketed CARREFOUR supermarkets in several cities, urging shoppers boycott the chain.

In London, Chinese expatriates and students also staged a silent demonstration at a square opposite the British Parliament building. They were rallying against alleged distorted reports of the Tibet riots in March by some international media including the BBC.

More than 3,000 people joined the demonstration, the first staged by the Chinese community in Britain.

One Chinese student said major British media like the BBC and Sky TV simply ignored their voices when covering the dirupted torch relay in London.

"I was interviewed by the Sky TV on the day when the torch relay was held in London. I said many moderate words and the crew said they would air the footage on TV. But I never saw this footage. Also I wrote a long English letter to the BBC, but also ended up in vain. "

In Washington, Robert Fabricant, a US attorney voiced his support for the protesters when he was interviewed by China Central Television.

"I have been to the Tibetan region. Certainly the Chinese government has done a lot there to help the Tibetans. I think that many Americans are weary that they are not getting the true story from their own media here."

In Ottawa, hundreds of Chinese students from several local universities have also gathered in the Canadian capital to show their support for the Beijing Olympics.

Students shouted "Go Beijing!" in unison in front of Parliament Hill. (www.hXen.com)

Some local Canadians also joined. They said those who have disrupted the torch relay in various cities should not take advantage of the Olympics for political purposes.

"I think it's a shame for the West. I think it is terrible. I'm actually ashamed of being a Westerner. It really hurts. The West is not like this. I hope Chinese people understand there are some good ones out there, not all bad."

Similar protests were also held in Vienna and Berlin on Saturday.