London  - More than 200 noisy demonstrators gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in London Friday to voice their protest at China's human rights record.

Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China's hosting of the Olympics.

Amid drumming and chanting they held aloft large banners calling for a "free Tibet" and demanded an end to China's support for the military regime in Myanmar.

"We are here to remind China and the world that the Olympics show may proceed but we have not forgotten the millions of people who are the victims of the tyranny of the regime in Beijing, the political prisoners, the suppressed trade unionists and the persecuted minorities like the Tibetans," said campaigner Peter Tatchell.

"There can be no normal sporting relations with the abnormal oppressive regime in Beijing," he said.

Some 40 police officers lined up to form a protective wall outside the Chinese Embassy, where a metal fences were put up.

In a quiet side street next to the Chinese Embassy a small number of campaigners were holding a low-key counter-rally.

The group of around 10 men, all dressed in smart suits, waved Chinese and British flags. (dpa)