As the ‘midnight ultimatum’ set by the Chinese government passed, worldwide calls for Chinese authorities to exercise restraint have continued. Protests have also spread as far as Beijing.

The so-called ‘surrender deadline’ expired at 3.00am Australian Eastern Daylight Savings time on 18 March 2008. The Chinese ultimatum called for Tibetan protesters to hand themselves in to authorities or “be punished severely according to [Chinese] law”. The ultimatum also threatened those “who harbor or hide criminal elements” with punishment and encouraged people to inform on others by offering commendations and awards.

Door to Door Searches Reported
It has been reported that Chinese troops conducted door to door searches in the hours leading up to the midnight ‘surrender deadline’. It has also been reported that the Chinese Army drove through the streets of Lhasa yesterday parading dozens of Tibetan prisoners in handcuffs.

Student Protest In Beijing
At the National Minorities University in Beijing yesterday, about 100 students braved a cordon of police to hold a sit-in demonstration, reportedly in support of Tibetans who have been demonstrating in Lhasa since March 10.

The students reportedly maintained complete silence, ignoring teachers and university officials who tried to persuade them to disperse.

Uniformed and plainclothes police stood around the students but took no action. They did not allow anyone to approach the group. Police were also deployed at entrances to the university, reportedly checking identity cards of anyone going in.

UK Calls On Chinese Government to ‘Show Responsibility’
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has made a statement in which he deplores the violence following recent protests in Tibet and called on the Chinese government to “show responsibility” by engaging in dialogue.

Mr Miliband, speaking with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in Stockholm, said both Britain and Sweden “both deplored the violence that has already taken place and claimed too many lives”.

“Now it is clear that there is a need for the Chinese government to show the responsibility of a strong and great nation and to ensure that the substantive dialogue that is the only way forward for Tibet really does take place,” Milibrand said.

United Nations Calls For Restraint
On Monday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “increasingly concerned” about reports of violence and loss of life in Tibet.

“At this time I urge restraint on the part of the authorities and call on all concerned to avoid further confrontation and violence,” Ban said. Ban also said he was following the situation closely, adding “We’ll get back to you.”

“I had meetings with the Chinese ambassador [to the UN] this morning and also we discussed this matter and I expressed my concern and my views to the Chinese government,” he said.

“I’m increasingly concerned about the tension and reports of violence and loss of life in Tibet and elsewhere,” he said, adding that he stressed the importance of a peaceful solution.

Ban said he had no information on exact numbers of casualties in the clashes.