A powerful US politician added her voice yesterday to the worldwide chorus condemning China’s crackdown in Tibet and demanded an international investigation.

“The situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world,” Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, said as she strolled arm-in-arm with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the restive Himalayan region.

“If freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China’s oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world,” Ms Pelosi told thousands of cheering Tibetans in Dharamsala, the seat of Tibet’s government in exile.

Undeterred by international criticism of the clampdown, Chinese officials issued a new wanted list. They also said that security forces had opened fire on a demonstration in the neighbouring Sichuan province, injuring four people.

The Number Five wanted list was broadcast by Lhasa Television, which showed more grainy photographs taken from video footage and stills of those taking part in what Beijing has dubbed the “March 14 Incident”. A total of 29 people are wanted in connection with the violence.

A teenage boy, listed as fourth on the list, has already turned himself in and has told reporters he deeply regretted his actions and had not understood their consequences, state media said. Most Wanted Three on the list had been caught, but no details of his identity were available.

Officials of the Tibet Autonomous Region have imposed a news blackout, authorising only the state Xinhua news agency, China Central Television and Phoenix television to operate in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Local media must follow central government orders.

State-run Tibet Television continued to show footage of last week’s riots, including scenes of maroon-robed monks throwing rocks at police, protesters kicking in shop fronts and plumes of black smoke from burnt cars. Newsreaders echoed the central government’s insistence that the violence was orchestrated by the “Dalai clique”.

Across Lhasa, people were being required to denounce the Dalai Lama. From government officials to children, all had to stand in public and attack their exiled god-king.

Tibet Television showed a teenage girl taking part in a patriotic education session. She said: “We should distinguish right from wrong and protect national unity. We must expose the ugly face of the Dalai clique.”

Tibetans disputed the government report that four people were wounded and none killed when police opened fire to disperse anti-Chinese riots in southwestern Sichuan province. One ethnic Tibetan resident of Aba prefecture said he believed that several died when police fired on protesters attacking officials and state buildings.

Times Recommends

• Violent video games won’t corrupt
• Pope Benedict XVI: Alma Mater
• Chávez should know what’s good for him