"Some people have burned themselves," said Chinese vice foreign minister Zhang Zhijun at the Munich Security Conference. "But these people were portrayed as heroes."

Zhang noted that no nation recognized Tibet as an independent country and said those who advocated for a free Tibet often overlooked the advances the region had made in terms of the availability of education and increased life-spans under Chinese control.

"We do not want people to interfere in our affairs," Zhang said. "We have no intention of interfering in other people's affairs."

His comments were quickly countered by US Senator John McCain, who was speaking on the same panel about America, Europe and the rise of China.

He linked the protests in Tibet to demands for political independence.

"Most of all, people want to choose their own leaders," said McCain. "When you have free and fair elections in China, I think you will have much less interference in your internal affairs."

He also rejected the notion that criticism of Chinese policies equalled interference.

"I don't view my comments or anyone else's as interference. People criticize the US all the time and we accept those criticisms."