Chinese army trip fuels protest

The inclusion of the Chinese is 'not political' says the UK government

An invitation for the Chinese army to perform at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has sparked protests from Chinese groups in the UK.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) will send musicians and dancers to the event this summer.

But many Chinese blame the army for human rights abuses in Tibet and the suppression of religious groups.

Members of the outlawed Falun Gong movement have said the organisers appear to "condone persecution".

Every year the tattoo invites military bands from foreign armies to march and play music.

Poor record

But the government said that the organisers' decision to invite the Chinese army was "not taken lightly".

This is a multitude of wrong messages and I don't think that the people in Scotland approve of this at all Dr Li Shao Director, Falun Gong UK

In a letter to the Falun Gong directors, Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell admitted that China's progress on human rights was slow and its record is poor.

But he added that the tattoo "makes no moral or political statement".

However, members of the Falun Gong movement and those who lost relatives during the Tiananmen Square massacre strongly oppose the PLA's involvement.

'Wrong signals'

Dr Li Shao, director of Falun Gong UK, told BBC News Online that the decision sent a "multitude" of wrong messages.

The army is used as a tool to attack basic human rights in China - I don't agree that inviting the army to Scotland will improve this Ze Xia Tiananmen Square campaigner

He said: "It is extremely unfortunate. It is telling people that they are condoning or turning a blind eye to human rights issues and persecution.

"This is a multitude of wrong messages and I don't think that the people in Scotland approve of this at all."

Falun Gong members are touring Scotland to protest against the decision.

Ze Xia, whose cousin was killed in the Tiananmen Square massacre 15 years ago, described the PLA as a tool for attacks against human rights.

She said: "Because my cousin was killed in the 4 June massacre, and the army was involved in killing people there, I am against the decision to bring the PLA to this country.

"The army is used as a tool to attack basic human rights in China. I don't agree that inviting the army to Scotland will improve this."

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place between 6 to 28 August.