China bracing for Tibetan unrest

LONDON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The Chinese government called for stability during the weeks leading up to Tibetan New Year celebrations.

Tibetan activist groups claim at least 16 people have set themselves on fire since last year to protest Chinese policies in Sichuan province.

Chinese authorities called for security forces to stand ready to respond to Tibetan activists ahead of New Year festivities this month.

"Government departments must unstintingly carry out all measures designed to maintain stability," a warning from Beijing was quoted by The Daily Telegraph newspaper in London as saying.

U.S. officials during the weekend warned Beijing that the unrest that gripped much of the Middle East last year was "coming to China."

Free Tibet, an advocacy group in London, said two Tibetans survived after setting themselves on fire last week in an act of protest. The group accused Chinese authorities of firing on demonstrators in recent weeks.

Lobsang Sangay, described by Free Tibet as the Tibetan prime minister in exile, has called for a global show of solidarity Wednesday.

"Let's send a loud and clear message to the Chinese government that violence and killing of innocent Tibetans is unacceptable," he was quoted as saying.