BEIJING - A Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that religious activities in Southwest China's Sichuan province remain normal, despite the fact that several local monks have set themselves on fire in recent months.

"Religious activities in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture and other Tibetan autonomous areas remain normal. The religious demands of local worshippers have been fully satisfied," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a daily press briefing on Tuesday.

Several monks have attempted to self-immolate in Sichuan's Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in recent months. Local police extinguished the fires and sent the monks to local hospitals for treatment, Liu said.

An investigation of the incidents is underway, Liu said.

Following the attempted self-immolations, the "Dalai Lama clique" did not condemn this extreme behavior, and actually openly embellished and played it up, and spread rumors to incite more people to follow the example, Liu said.

The clique's behavior was a disguised form of violence and terrorism, as the group has actively tried to pursue separatism by harming people, Liu said.

The clique's behavior, which went against human conscience and Buddhist teachings, has been condemned by local residents, including those in religious circles, Liu said.

Liu said the government will continue to adhere to its policy of protecting religious freedom, make efforts to deal with religious affairs in accordance with the law and maintain social order and religious order.