At the time , protesters burned vehicles and shops , some advocating independence from China , and others demonstrating against the growing influence of the Han Chinese in the area . By early Wednesday , media inside China had : ` ` ' blocked '' China blocked YouTube during deadly riots in Tibet in August 2008 . Chinese government and China 's government - in - exile differ on death toll .
By early Wednesday , media inside China had : ` ` ' blocked '' China blocked YouTube during deadly riots in Tibet in August 2008 . Chinese government and China 's government - in - exile differ on death toll .