BEIJING, China (AP) — Radio broadcaster and Tibetan activists have reported that fresh protests broke out in the Tibetan capital Lhasa as foreign diplomats wrapped up a tightly controlled visit organized by Beijing.

Kate Saunders of the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet said a demonstration began Saturday afternoon at the Ramoche monastery and grew to involve “many people. Citing unnamed witnesses in the city, she said the situation calmed down after a few hours.

The U.S.-funded broadcaster Radio Free Asia reported several hundred people took part in the protests.

Ramoche was the original site of monk-led demonstrations that began peacefully on March 10, the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule, but erupted in violence days later. The Chinese government says 22 people died, while Tibetans abroad put the toll at 140.

The unrest was a public relations disaster for communist leaders, who want to use the upcoming Beijing Olympics to showcase China as a prosperous, stable society. See images of protests in Tibet »

The reports of new protests came as a 15-member group of diplomats from the United States, Japan and Europe returned to Beijing after a two-day visit to Lhasa.Read More…