Tibetan sets himself on fire in China

BEIJING -- An overseas news report says a Tibetan has set himself on fire in western China, and hundreds of others have held marches to protest the government's policies.

U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia says a man, apparently a monk, set himself on fire Wednesday in Sichuan province's Aba prefecture. The broadcaster says he was taken away by soldiers and police. His condition was unknown.

About 20 supporters of Tibetan rights have set themselves on fire over the past year.

The report also said two protests erupted in Qinghai province, with about 1,000 people marching in each, in support of the Dalai Lama, Tibetans' exiled spiritual leader. It said security surrounded protesters but no violence occurred.

Recent protests in Sichuan ended with several Tibetans killed.

(Copyright (c) 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)