Beijing is seeking to rally public opinion to back government policy and reject criticism of the Beijing Olympics. Many Chinese people feel proud about hosting the Games, and newspapers played on public rancour.
"France didn't protect the sacred flame," said the Global Times, a popular tabloid.
"The world has seen the irrational extremism of some in the West, and also seen the incompetence of the Paris police."
The People's Daily, voice of the ruling Communist Party, quoted indignant comments on Web sites. "Don't let foreigners look down on Chinese people!" urged one.
China had hoped the Olympic torch relay would be a symbol of cheerful unity in the run-up to the Games, which open in Beijing on August 8, and it has called the relay a "journey of harmony".
Australian organisers of the torch relay through the capital Canberra said on Tuesday they were looking at route changes to boost security following this week's protests.
An official magazine said officials are bracing for more attempted protests and disruptions from "hostile forces", including Tibet independence supporters, during the Games.
"Domestic and foreign hostile forces have made the Beijing Olympics a focus for infiltration and sabotage," said Outlook Weekly, which is issued by the Xinhua news agency.
U.S. Democratic presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton urged President George W. Bush on Monday to boycott the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies unless China improves human rights.
Clinton, in a statement, cited the violent clashes in Tibet and China's policies towards Sudan's Darfur region, where critics say it has not done enough to help end widespread strife.
Bush plans to attend the ceremonies and so far has resisted pressure to change his plans.
A Chinese official was quoted by Xinhua news agency on Monday as saying officials in Paris put out the Olympic flame at one stage after safety fears.
But spokeswoman Jiang took issue with reports that said officials in Paris had to extinguish the flame, saying the relay was temporarily changed there to safeguard its security.
"The reports by foreign media are false in claiming that the Olympic torch was forced to be extinguished," she said. She did not detail her version of events.
