Despite protests, Olympic torch will travel through Tibet

A Tibet-stationed Chinese official insisted that the Olympic torch will go through Tibet as planned, thereby rejecting calls from pro-Tibetan rallyists who say to do so would be an insult to the nation.

According to reports, while acknowledging the current tension between China and Tibet, Chinese Communist Party official Zhang Qingli said that China, 2008 Olympic host, will not give in to protesters demanding the Olympic torch relay be re-routed to avoid crossing through Tibet.

Addressing the public through a statement on the Tibetan government's website, Zhang said that Tibet will be playing its part in the ceremonies leading to the Games, and will accept the torch that will go through the country from June 19 to June 20.

According to the AFP, Zha called for people to "deepen their drive to complete the glorious, important and arduous task of running the Olympic Torch through Tibet, despite the insistent, almost angry calls of pro-Tibetan protesters.

Zhang reportedly also addressed government officials to have a "clear head" throughout the ordeal, and "spare no efforts" to prevent the chances of any "possible mishaps" occurring due to what he called the "Dalai clique."

The tension between the two countries was further spurred by a violent protest crackdown executed by Chinese officials on Tibetan Buddhist monks who held a protest last month.

Anger toward the Chinese government has spread throughout the globe, forcing dignitaries to suggest a boycott of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Officials of the Olympics announced their disapproval of the boycott calls, insisting that the Games must not be linked with any political concerns, said Bloomberg.

"The Olympic Games are a force for good," said International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge stated late last March. "We believe that China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25,000 media who will attend the games."

The Games are set to start on Aug. 8.