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CAMDEN council has sparked a diplomatic row after ignoring the demands of one of the world's most powerful nations. The council incurred the wrath of the Chinese after defiantly flying the Tibetan flag above council headquarters last Saturday. The symbolic gesture went in the face of warnings from the Chinese embassy, which told the council not to fly the flag. A senior Chinese official had said that "raising the flag would be an encouragement of the forces working against the Chinese government". Nonetheless, Free Tibet was the solemn message on show above Camden Town Hall after Mayor Heather Johnson went ahead and raised the flag anyway. A Camden spokesman said: "We listened to the deliberations of the Chinese embassy, but strongly believe that the Tibetan people should have the chance to be heard." He added: "Camden is honoured that the Tibetan people have chosen us to fly this flag, which reflects their strong presence in the borough and our high profile in the capital." Meanwhile, hundreds of protestors took to the streets for the annual Tibetan Freedom march stretching from the Chinese embassy to Whitehall. It is not the first time Camden council has shown Tibetans their support, this being the fifth year running that Tibet's flag has been flown over the town hall in Euston Road. Saturday was one of the most important dates in the Tibetan calendar, marking the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising. Camden council stands alongside Hollywood stars, such as Richard Gere, who have also called for Tibet's release from Chinese rule. |
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