Relevant departments in Tibet Autonomous Region were taking legal measures to deal with the recent riot in Lhasa, the regional capital, and the current situation there had returned to normal, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang here Tuesday.

"We have ample evidence to prove that the Lhasa riot was organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai Lama clique," Qin told a regular press conference.

He made the remarks when asked by a journalist to respond to a European Union's presidency statement on the Lhasa incident.

Qin said China has noticed the statement issued by the EU, and has informed the EU and its member countries on the truth of the Lhasa riot and treatment by relevant departments of Tibet.

He said local government has been taking legal and reasonable measures to deal with the incident in order to maintain social stability, defend the nation's legal system and safeguard the fundamental interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet. Law enforcers exercised extreme restraint in handling the incident, the spokesman said.

Qin said the riot not only caused heavy losses of life and property in the city, but also seriously disturbed social order.

He said the action of the lawless persons was not at all a "peaceful demonstration" but a violent crime. "The law breakers killed innocent people, arousing great indignation and condemnation from the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet," he said.

He said the riot, which seriously trampled fundamental human rights and freedom principles, exposed once again the secessionist nature of the Dalai Lama clique and the hypocritical and fraudulent nature of its so-called "peace" and "non-violence" allegations.

Qin said the riot infringed upon national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and imperiled people's lives and property. "Any responsible government would not sit by such kind of riot," he added.

Qin urged the EU and relevant countries and international organizations to respect fact, advocate justice, distinguish right and wrong on the riot in Lhasa, and jointly curb the violent crimes of the Dalai Lama clique.

"Governments of all levels in China are capable of safeguarding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting people's lives and property, and keeping stability of social order," he said.

On March 14, riots involving beating, smashing, looting and burning broke peace in Lhasa.

Rioters set fires at more than 300 locations, including residences and 214 shops, smashed and burned 56 vehicles, and attacked schools, banks, hospitals, shops, government offices, utilities and state media offices.

On the question that what China will react if other countries' government leaders host the Dalai Lama, Qin said China has always had a clear and firm position on this issue.

"The Dalai Lama is not a pure religious person, but a political refugee engaged in activities of splitting China and destroying national unity under the camouflage of religion," said Qin.

"We firmly oppose officials of any country's government to meet with the Dalai Lama and provide platform and convenience for Dalai's secessionist remarks and activities," said Qin.

He noted that there is no country's government that admits the "exiled government of Tibet" or that "Tibet is an independent country".

Qin added that he hoped the international community will further recognize the secessionist nature of the Dalai Lama clique through the recent riots in Lhasa.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2008)