China has defied international calls for it to hold talks with the Dalai Lama and pledged to intensify its brutal crackdown on Tibetan protests against its rule.

An editorial in People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party which is often used to announce state policy, promised to "resolutely crush the conspiracy of sabotage and smash Tibet independence forces."

"1.3 billion Chinese people would allow no person or force to undermine the stability of the region," it added.

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Hundreds of protestors have marched through central London to demonstrate solidarity with Tibetans involved in the recent protests against Chinese rule, and to put pressure on Britain and the international community to speak out against the repression.

Gordon Brown said last week that China’s Premier Wen Jiabao had assured him that China would to talk to the Dalai Lama if he agreed to abandon support for Tibetan independence and renounced violence.

But Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has already said he supports autonomy, rather than independence, and has condemned the recent violence.

The Chinese media has consistently blamed the Dalai Lama for the protests, and attacked the western press for its "misrepresentation" of the situation.

Chinese television has broadcast images of what it describes as "rioters", without showing any footage of the violent police response.

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