Chinese expatriates staged peaceful demonstrations in several European cities on Saturday in support of the Beijing Olympics and express their anger at the "pro-Tibet independence" activists' attacks of the Olympic torch relay.

In PARIS, thousands of pro-China demonstrators staged a demonstration at the Place de la Republic.

Many wore T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Let's make the Olympics a bridge, not a wall," in French.

One Chinese student said people who misunderstand China should visit it.

"We are very sorry about French people and foreigners who have a bad attitude towards the Chinese people. Because Chinese people are really eager to welcome countries of the world. So I hope you can go to China, to see the country with your own eyes, your own experience. And I hope you don't suffer intellectual idleness. You should not listen to others but see and discover this country on your own."

France has been the target of backlash by China supporters angry about pro-Tibetan protests that rocked the Paris leg of the Olympic torch relay earlier this month.

In London, Chinese expatriates and students also staged a silence demonstration at a square opposite to the British Parliament building in protest against alleged distorted reports of the Tibet riots in March by some international media including the BBC.

More than 3,000 people joined the demonstration, the first staged by the Chinese community in Britain.

Similar protests were held in Vienna and Berlin on the same day.

In Canada, hundreds of Chinese students from several local universities have also gathered in the capital, Ottawa, to show their support for the Beijing Olympics.

"Go Beijing!" the students shouted in unison in front of Parliament Hill.

Some local Canadians also joined the Chinese students. They said those who have disrupted the torch relay in various cities should not take advantage of the Olympics for political purposes.

"I think it's a shame for the West. I think it is terrible. I'm actually ashamed of being a Westerner. It really hurts. The West is not like this. I hope Chinese people understand there are some good ones out there, not all bad."