Chinese netizens have shown a vigorous response to Western media reports on the riots in Lhasa, disapproving of coverage that they contend favored allegations from the Dalai Lama's backers: that Chinese Armed Police in monks' robes joined the rioters.
A picture was leaked on the Internet showing tens of Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) servicemen, wearing summer uniforms and holding monks' robes. This photo was linked to allegations by the Dalai clique that those PAP members dressed as Tibetan monks and rioted on March 14 in Lhasa.
The picture was shortly discredited by Chinese netizens who identified obvious inconsistencies in the picture.
First, the summer uniforms of the PAP shown in the picture could not have been worn by the armed forces while they were on duty on March 14 in Lhasa, where it was cold at the time.
Second, since 2005, all PAP members have worn shoulder badges, which are not visible in the picture. Their absence indicates the picture is outdated.
An Internet user showing an IP address of 192.168.25.* said that the picture was originally uploaded on a website affiliated with the Dalai clique's "government-in-exile".
However, the original picture has a caption saying: "This photo was apparently taken when monks refused to act in a movie, so soldiers were ordered to put on the robes", the netizen said.
Following the picture on its original webpage was a story by an alleged "free press" outlet in Canada, which said that British intelligence had confirmed the Dalai clique's allegation that Chinese military members had imitated monks in the riot.
"How could a picture, which was taken in connection with a performance, be used as evidence to accuse the Chinese government and be relayed as an erroneous report by the Western media?" the netizen queried.
A netizen posting from 121.31.116.* said that the Dalai clique's "government-in-exile" exists on lies and schemes and some Western media have relayed those lies and rumors.