CHINA: We Cannot Be Softhearted

Peking cracks down on its domestic critics

At Peking's famed "democracy wall" last week, a group of young people were selling transcripts of the trial of China's leading dissident, Wei Jingsheng, 29. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison last month on charges of counterrevolutionary activity, and passing military data to foreigners. Suddenly, about 50 uniformed security policemen swooped down on the crowd of several hundred people gathered at the wall. Scuffling with foreign observers at the scene the police confiscated about 500 copies of the trial transcript and arrested three would-be buyers and a man who was...

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