BANGKOK, August 8, 2008 (AFP) - More than 60 protesters rallied Friday outside Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok to demand that China end its support for the ruling junta, on the 20th anniversary of a nationwide pro-democracy uprising.

The protest came hours before the opening of the Olympic Games in China, which is a major ally and trading partner of the military, who have ruled the former Burma since 1962.

The Myanmar and Thai activists blocked two lanes of traffic as they waved banners reading 'Blood Olympic' and 'Free Aung San Suu Kyi.' They also released 100 red balloons and threw red paper rockets into the embassy compound.

'We want China to stop supporting the Myanmar government, as we know China is their major supporter,' said Sann Aung, a 53-year-old Myanmar activist.

'Stability in this region will never truly come unless Myanmar is stable,' Sann Aung said.

The protest was held to mark the 20th anniversary of a national uprising in Myanmar that began on August 8, 1988 -- or as it is often called, 8/8/88.

Soldiers opened fire into the protests that rumbled on for six weeks, leaving 3,000 dead.

No one from the embassy responded to the demonstrators Friday.