Canberra: The explosion of violence between Tibetan protesters and Chinese authorities is "disturbing," Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said today, calling on Beijing to exercise restraint.

Rudd, who speaks fluent Mandarin and is due to meet China's leaders on a trip to Beijing next month, said Canberra had made clear its views to Beijing on the crackdown on rallies against Chinese rule that began in the Tibetan capital Lhasa last week.

"These most recent developments in Tibet are disturbing and from my point of view I would call upon the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint," Rudd told reporters in Canberra.

Rudd, quizzed on whether he would raise the issue with China s President Hu Jintao during their meeting in April, said he had raised human rights concerns with Chinese leaders in the past and expected to do so again.

"These are serious matters and I take them seriously and they will certainly form part of our continued communication with the Chinese government," he said.

China is Australia's biggest trading partner and Rudd, who was posted to Beijing as a diplomat, has said that during his April 9-12 visit to Beijing he would work to expand their trade and investment opportunities in China.
Source : PTI