By KATHY WILHELM

Associated Press Writer

BEIJING, September 11, 1995, (AP) -- Chinese hotel staff tried today to break up a news conference at which exiled Tibetan women and Scandinavian legislators criticized China's policies in Tibet.

It was the latest run-in with Chinese security for the Tibetan women, who live in Canada, the United States and Australia and have been attending two international women's conferences.

One Tibetan, Chimi Thonden of the United States, read a statement from the Dalai Lama expressing thanks for their commitment "to our cause."

"Your presence in the forum and conference has brought about much awareness of the situation in Tibet," wrote the Tibetan spiritual leader, who also lives in exile.

China attempted to block ethnic Tibetan women from attending the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women and a parallel forum of unofficial women's groups. However, at least 10 managed to obtain visas and staged a protest at the unofficial forum on Sept. 1.

They have reported being tailed and videotaped by Chinese security and had a tug-of-war with Chinese over a videotape they screened that was critical of China. Women parliamentarians from Denmark, Sweden and Norway who are attending the U.N. meeting called the press conference on behalf of five of the Tibetans. The Scandinavians said China violated U.N. rules by barring selected groups from the women's conferences.

"All of us who enjoy the luxury to speak up bear the responsibility on our shoulders to do so. On behalf of my voiceless sisters, I would like to speak out," said Helle Degn, chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee of Denmark's legislature.

The Tibetan women said they want the U.N. conference document to mention the rights of women living under foreign occupation, and to oppose forced abortions and sterilizations. China restricts most couples to one child, and critics say that it leads to such abuses.

Degn read a speech from the education minister of Tibet's government in exile, Rinchen K. Choegyal, which accused China of presenting a distorted picture of conditions in Tibet.

Shortly after the news conference began in a small meeting room of a Beijing hotel, hotel staff said it was illegal and demanded everyone leave. Members of the Danish delegation stood outside arguing with the Chinese in rising voices as the news conference went ahead hurriedly.

Afterward, the Danish delegates escorted the Tibetans back to the U.N. conference site, with several dozen Chinese security guards filming and photographing them.

China says it has ruled Tibet since the 13th century, but the remote Himalayan region actually ruled itself for much of that time and regarded itself as independent. Its government, headed by the Dalai Lama, fled to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama says he does not demand independence but only justice and equality for Tibetans.

Degn said Denmark does not comment on whether Tibet should be independent but believes China violates the human rights of Tibetans.