11.   International human rights groups have criticized China for sending millions of Chinese settlers to Tibet to dilute the influence of its religion, culture and battle for independence.

12.   Of particular concern are regions like Xinjiang, where the Muslim ethnic majority has grown increasingly angry over Chinese rule and an influx of Chinese settlers.

13.   Opponents of Chinese rule say Beijing is flooding Tibet with ethnic Chinese settlers and trying to eradicate its language and culture.

14.   The Buddhist devotees come from Chinese temples dotting the island, part of the heritage of Chinese settlers who arrived in southern Thailand over the centuries.

15.   That resentment has been compounded by a growing influx of ethnic Chinese settlers, regarded as a threat to local hopes for prosperity.

16.   The exiles say China has flooded Tibet with ethnic Chinese settlers in an effort to suffocate Tibetan culture and its unique form of Buddhism.

17.   The region has become increasingly tense because the Muslims regard an influx of Chinese settlers as a threat to their prosperity and way of life.

18.   Tibet lobbying groups say it would reignite old ethnic hostilities and abet alleged Chinese government plans to anchor restive Tibetan regions with Chinese settlers.

19.   Tibetan activists say other important sites have been destroyed and economic benefits go mostly to ethnic Chinese settlers.

20.   Tibetans already complain that Chinese settlers are pushing them aside.