China tightens security, detains dissidents

BEIJING, May 28: China has stepped up pressure on its dissident community before the ninth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, with two more detentions for alleged subversion and orders for activists to remain at home, a human rights group said today.

But a dissident from Central Hanan province ignored the pressure and issued an open letter calling on pro-democracy supporters to mark the June four anniversary by lighting candles for the dead.

Wang Bing called for a reassessment of the army assualt on demonstrators and asked for a show of support for those killed, the Hong Kong-based information centre of human rights and democratic movement in China said.

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In the port city of Qingdao, two activists who were searched and questioned earlier in the week, were detained by police yesterday.

Fellow activist Yan Peng was also taken away later for questioning, the group said.