Two prominent Chinese dissidents are to be tried today on criminal charges related to their attempts to form an opposition China Democratic Party. These are the first such trials in three years in China and have prompted a warning from the US ambassador to Beijing, Mr James Sasser, of a new chill in US-China relations.
The two dissidents, Mr Qin Yongmin (45) and Mr Wang Youcai (32), have been denied lawyers and will defend themselves against subversion charges.
Police have detained 18 members of the Chinese Democratic Party to prevent them from attending the trial of Mr Qin in Wuhan and of Mr Wang in Hangzhou, according to the Hong Kong-based Information Centre of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China.
The remarks of the US ambassador are the most critical since the US and other western states, including Ireland, opted for a process of dialogue rather than confrontation with China over human rights early this year. This culminated in the signing by Beijing two months ago of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides for the right of assembly and free speech.
"New limits on freedom of expression and the recent detentions of dissidents are a source of concern . . ." Mr Sasser said in a speech in Shanghai. "We feel that a chilling of the political environment can chill our bilateral relationship in ways that deter us from enhancing co-operation."
The crackdown comes at the end of a year of skilful diplomacy by the Beijing government, with a procession of world leaders drawn to China to promote trade, and President Jiang Zemin travelling abroad more than any other Chinese leader to forge new alliances.
The new dissident cases will put pressure on European countries to renew criticism of China at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, but Chinese officials seem confident that they have defused the issue, arguing that Beijing needs time to study and ratify the political rights convention.
When they appear in court today, Mr Qin is expected to plead not guilty to charges of "plotting to subvert state power" and Mr Wang will contest a charge of "inciting to subvert state power", family members said. If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison.