Chinese protesters shout anti-French slogans as they gather at entrance of French retail chain Carrefour in Chongqing municipality 01 May, 2008

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in four Chinese cities Thursday to express support for the upcoming Beijing Olympics and denounce international protests over the crackdown in Tibet.

State-run Xinhua news agency says the demonstrations took place outside stores belonging to French retail giant Carrefour in Changsha, capital of the central province of Hunan, as well as the cities of Fuzhou, Chongquin, and Shenyang.

The supporters waved Chinese national flags and shouted slogans supporting the Olympics and denouncing Tibetan independence.

Carrefour has been the target of angry nationalist fervor since last month's relay of the Beijing Olympic torch in Paris, when pro-Tibetan demonstrators tried to snatch the flame from a wheelchair-bound Chinese athlete.

An Internet campaign calling for a boycott of Carrefour was launched, and several angry protests were staged.

Chinese officials urged citizens to show their patriotism in a calm and legal way, and praised Carrefour for supporting the upcoming Games.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.