Australian PM rejects Olympic boycott

8220;But we also believe it is necessary to recognise that there are significant human rights problems in Tibet. As a long-standing friend of China, I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China8217;s leaders on this,8221; Rudd said.

Stressing his links with China, where he served as diplomat, Rudd won over the university students as well as local media, who hailed his strong language skills.

8220;China has an old saying 8230; Don8217;t fear heaven, don8217;t fear earth, but be very afraid when foreigners try to speak Chinese,8221; Rudd joked.

Rudd is the second visiting world leader to comment on the anti-government rioting that erupted last month in Tibet8217;s capital Lhasa and Tibetan-inhabited areas across western China.

Beijing claims it is handling Tibetan issues appropriately and has rejected calls for dialogue with Tibet8217;s exiled Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, whose supporters it accuses of orchestrating the violence.

Earlier today, Australia8217;s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said China had complained about similar comments Rudd made in Washington last month. A spokesman said the complaints had been issued verbally and had been discussed in Beijing and Canberra at the ambassadorial level, but provided no details.