A leading reformer who was toppled as China's Communist Party chief for opposing the army crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy protests, has suffered multiple strokes but is stable in hospital, sources close to the family said today.
The government put Zhao Ziyang, now 85, under house arrest following his ouster, fearing the residual influence of modern China's icon of reform could spark widespread protests.
"My dad suffered yet another stroke last night ... and is still in critical condition after emergency treatment," the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, quoted Zhao's daughter, Wang Yannan, as saying.
A second source said Zhao's condition had stabilised.
Zhao has been confined to his courtyard home in the Chinese capital for sympathising with the student-led demonstrations, centred on Tiananmen Square, which were crushed by the army with heavy loss of life on June 3-4, 1989.
The Chinese leadership fears Zhao's death could serve as a rallying point for reformists, workers disgruntled at soaring unemployment and farmers disillusioned with the widening gap between rich and poor.