The Hague: The Netherlands today summoned the Chinese ambassador to express the government's deep concern over events in Tibet, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said.

"(Deputy Foreign Minister) Frans Timmermans told the ambassador the Netherlands is extremely concerned about events in Tibet," foreign ministry spokeswoman Sonja van der Meer told AFP.

Timmermans was replacing Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen who was absent, she added. The meeting with ambassador Xue Hanqin finished just before 1 p.m. Local time.

Violence erupted in Tibet last week as Chinese cracked down on demonstrations against Beijing s controversial rule there.

"The deputy minister called on the Chinese to be more open, for example by admitting foreign journalists" in Tibet, Van der Meer said.

The Hague also stressed that China "should respect human rights," she added.

The officials also spoke of damages to the Chinese embassy caused by pro-Tibet protesters yesterday who tore down a fence.

Timmermans told Xue that the Netherlands is responsible for the security of the Chinese embassy here as stipulated in international treaties, Van der Meer said.

Source : PTI