The secretary of Zhao Ziyang, the former General Secretary of Chinese Communist Party who died Jan. 17, was prevented by police from offering condolences to Zhao’s family. Zhao’s family had set up the mourning hall for him at home. Bao Tong, Zhao’s former secretary, was stopped by police Jan. 18 on his way to the home. His wife was pushed to the ground and injured.

According to a Reuters report, Bao’s daughter said that her parents planned to go to Zhang’s house in Beijing to express condolences to the family.

According to Central News Agency, there were five or six plainclothes police officers outside of Bao’s residence. They told Bao: "You are not allowed to leave your house, on orders from higher authority."

They refused to show credentials or identity cards, which leaves Bao in the position of requesting a message be sent to their unnamed higher authority.

“It is insensible, inhuman and a violation of the constitution for you to prevent us from offering condolences for Zhao Ziyang."

Bao’s wife was pushed to the ground, according to reports. She injured her back and was rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, the unidentified personnel maintain their vigil outside Bao’s house.

It is reported that Bao’s access in general, even before Zhao’s death, had been limited. Reporters had not been able to contact him for interviews and the phone service had been disrupted.

Bao Tong wrote on Jan. 17: "Zhao Ziyang died under illegal house arrest. ... Zhao Ziyang does not need tears. China is not lacking tears. What China needs most is defense of human rights and struggling for democracy. Each citizen, in cities or villages, needs to work together to defend the Constitution and human rights!"

Bao stated in the article “Grieving Over Zhao Ziyang” that the June 4th Tiananmen Square massacre is China’s and mankind’s tragedy in 20th century. "The dictatorial rule by one party has turned each error of the Chinese Communist Party into a nationwide and long-term disaster. It is also the root of Cultural Revolution."

The article concluded: "Zhao Ziyang is together with us! He is living in the great enterprise of Chinese citizens’ defending human rights and striving for democracy."

According to Reuters, Zhao’s family members have already made the decision to hold the funeral at home. They arranged the mourning hall by the night he died and sent the farewell ceremony invitation to friends and the public.

According to observers of Epoch Times in Beijing: "In the early morning of 18th, several hundred appeal people went to Beijing Hospital, where Zhao died. They bought many white flowers and black yarn for mourning. In the morning of 18th, some people went to Zhao’s residence in Fuqiang Alley to deliver the wreath.”

At last report, things were tranquil in Beijing. Some critical areas, such as Tiananmen Square, have been fortified by guards. The tourists in Tiananmen Square are scarce. Police, military police and plainclothes officers are everywhere at various street intersections. Police vehicles are parking at important subway entrances and the nearby areas of Tiananmen Square to await orders. Police or military police are examining the ID’s of people with bags or luggage, especially people who enter Tiananmen Square.

The Chinese Communist Party leadership is concerned that Zhao’s death will initiate democracy demonstration, and are therefore agonizing over how to arrange Zhao’s funeral. For a former nation leader as Zhao, whose situation is so sensitive, a grand funeral is not possible, but a careless one is not proper. Some organizations outside China are calling for and holding free and public activities to mourn Zhao, who fell out of favor because he was willing to engage the students who had come to Tiananmen Square after the death of a prominent pro-democracy leader in June 1989. Zhao had opposed the bloody crackdown, and was replaced by Jiang Zemin.