Chinese authorities have stepped up their vigilance ahead of the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, detaining at least two dissidents and warning others to stay at home, sources said today.
Mr Hua Huiqi, a member of an unofficial Christian church, was taken away by police yesterday morning after having been shadowed by officers for several weeks, his father told AFP news agency.
"Six or seven police officers had been watching his home for more than one month," said Mr Hua's father, Mr Hua Zaichen. "Whenever he went out, they'd follow him around."
Tuesday is the anniversary of the June 4th crushing of the Tiananmen demonstrations, when hundreds, possibly thousands, were killed by members of the People's Liberation Army on Beijing streets.
Mr Liu Fenggang, also a Christian activist, was detained by police shortly before noon yesterday, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said in a press release.
Mr Liu was taken away by police along with his wife and their two-year-old son, the center said.
The current location of Mr Hua and Mr Liu is unknown, but they have probably been put up in hotels and will not be allowed to go until a few days after the June 4th anniversary, the center said.
AFP