In China, the Communist Party is reported to have revoked a document that was issued by municipal leaders in Peking (Beijing) calling for a crackdown on human rights and unofficial newspapers.

Leaders of six human rights groups held a rally at Peking's 'Democracy Wall'. It was officially in response to a recent speech by the city's mayor, Lin Hu-chia (Lin Hujia) which warned that open criticism of society, public demonstrations, marches and underground newspapers were going beyond tolerable limits.

A crowd of several hundred were at the rally. They heard leaders of the six human rights groups say they would continue to fight for more freedom.

Several of the demonstrators climbed the wall to hand out pamphlets which promised to continue the human rights campaign. The crowd, reported to be good natured, numbered about 600. It split into groups which discussed human rights, the constitution and free speech. Speakers had called for the right to continue to meet foreigners and for a continuation of the campaign for democracy.

According to a report on Friday (2 February) from the Peking correspondent of the British newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, sources say the Communist Party has told Peking authorities not to confront the democracy movement head on.

New posters on the wall last week reported the arrest of a young woman shop assistant. According to the posters she had been arrested at midnight by eight policemen because she was an activist in the fight for democracy and human rights. Other posters have since appeared calling for her release.