Hundreds of protesters supporting Tibetan independence or the Falun Gong movement greeted President Hu Jintao as he arrived at Buckingham Palace during his state visit to Britain yesterday.
The protesters lined the north side of The Mall, the broad avenue leading to Buckingham Palace, separated by police and barricades from the pro-China supporters on the opposite side of the road.
'China, China, China, out, out, out!' pro-Tibetan independence protesters shouted as Mr Hu arrived at the palace in a horse-drawn carriage with the queen. 'Stop the killing in Tibet,' they shouted.
The protests were mostly peaceful, except for a slight scuffle as Mr Hu passed by when a pro-Beijing demonstrator trampled a flag being waved by the pro-Tibet protesters. That escalated into a shoving and shouting match, but police grabbed the man and led him away.
Falun Gong supporters meditated and held up banners reading 'Bring criminal officials who persecute Falun Gong to justice'. Mr Hu's trip, the first to Britain by a Chinese leader since October 1999, has also upset some politicians who believe the British government should not be rolling out the red carpet for the leader of a non-democratic country.
'I was shocked to see red flags flying in The Mall,' London Assembly councillor Brian Coleman said. 'Why are we giving this honour to someone who is not an elected head of state? I have no idea.'
