Former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang died a year ago after being under house arrest for the last 16 years. Since then, authorities have been attempting to obstruct the frequent memorial services for Zhao via continuous surveillance and police intervention. In January, Li Jinping, who has established a memorial hall for Zhao at his own house in Beijing, was arrested and has been out of contact with his family for three days. Qi Zhiyong and at least five others who had planned to attend the ceremony are also being detained by the police.
January 17, 2006 marks the one-year anniversary of Zhao’s death. Zhao’s daughter, Ms. Wang Yennan said that Zhao’s descendants will be present and that the service will be open to the public. Zhao’s family will also greet visitors at the door if notified in advance.
Zhao Ziyang Was under House Arrest for 16 Years
Zhao Ziyang was detained at his house in Fuqiang Hutong, Beijing by the CCP till his death, for opposing the shootings during the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Many people, including his daughter, recalled that Zhao’s former one-story residence used to be surrounded by wire fences with a watchtower and a searchlight situated west of the courtyard. The searchlight was later taken down after protests from neighboring residents. Furthermore, across the narrow lane from Zhao’s house is the Beijing Security Bureau, where authorities could peer directly into Zhao’s courtyard.
