Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

Local policeman clashes with a protester (bottom) during the Olympic torch relay in London, capital of Britain, April 6, 2008. A few "pro-Tibet independence" activists tried to sabotage the torch relay, stirring clashes with British police. At least 25 people were arrested. (Xinhua/Qi Heng) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A Beijing Olympic official on Sunday strongly criticized the attempt by some "pro-Tibet independence" activists to sabotage the torch relay event in London, as an obvious act of defying the Olympic spirit.

    A spokesman from the torch relay center of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee said that as the highest symbol of the Olympic spirit, the Olympic flame represents peace, friendship and progress. Under the authorization of the International Olympic Committee, the Beijing Olympic torch relay is taking its journey of harmony throughout the world, sharing the passion and glory of the Olympics with the world, and has received warm welcome from the people en route.

    However, a few "pro-Tibet independence" activists attempted to sabotage the torch relay in London today, which is a serious violation of the Olympic spirit, as the Olympic flame belongs to the world, the spokesman said. The act will surely arouse the resentment of the peace-loving people, and is bound to fail, he added.

    London welcomes the Beijing Olympic flame on Sunday as part of the global Olympic Torch Relay in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games. As a grand festival in London, tens of thousands of people lined the route of the relay to cheer the event, far outnumbering the protesters.

    Yet some protesters tried to sabotage the torch relay, by trying to grab the torch or extinguish it, stirring clashes with British police. At least 25 people were arrested.

    The torch is traveling through ten London boroughs from Wembley in the west to Greenwich in east London, with each borough marking its arrival with entertainment and local events, bringing London's color and vibrancy to life while showcasing the capital's famous landmarks.