Beijing - Chinese authorities have arrested 11 key members of the outlawed Falungong sect and confiscated millions of banned books and video tapes in a fresh crackdown on the spiritual group, state media said yesterday. The suspects were involved in publishing books and producing videotapes and T-shirts - acts deemed illegal after Beijing banned the group in July, a report on Chinese Central Television said. The report did not say how the authorities would deal with the suspects, but trials and harsh sentences are expected.
Meanwhile in London, the Chinese President, Mr Jiang Zemin, continued his visit, meeting the leaders of the three main political parties, against a background of continuing street protests. The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, spoke about issues relating to China's economy, trade and other topics such as international crime and world affairs.
Earlier, Mr Blair's official spokesman stressed that while human rights were on the agenda, they should "not define our relationship with China". The spokesman said Mr Jiang first raised the issue of human rights. He confirmed, however, that Britain had submitted a list of people currently jailed in China about whom the government was concerned.
Earlier, Mr Jiang met Conservative leader Mr William Hague at Buckingham Palace.