Dissidents Linked to Proposed Party Held

Chinese authorities have detained two dissidents and placed a third under surveillance in a widening police sweep against members of a would-be opposition party, rights groups reported. Two of the dissidents--Xie Wanjun and Liu Lianjun--reported receiving encouraging signals from the government earlier this month about setting up the China Democracy Party. But last week, police began detaining people connected to the party. Dissidents have been trying to register the China Democracy Party with the government since President Clinton visited China in June. The ruling Communist Party has never allowed an opposition party to form.