The government Thursday declared a virtual blackout on foreign news coverage of pro-democracy protests and stepped up displays of military muscle in a bid to assert its authority.
Beijing Municipal Government spokesman Ding Weijin announced the new rules at a press briefing, warning that city officials had the power to determine violations under the unenforced martial law decree and set penalties "in light of the seriousness of the individual case."The restrictions were among the latest signs that the government was moving to execute a May 20 martial law decree in Beijing announced by conservative Premier Li Peng after students demanding greater freedom occupied central Tiananmen Square, sparking nationwide demonstrations by sympathizers.
Tens of thousands of civilians prevented troops from moving into the city, and the decree has been ignored in the capital. Students have continued demonstrations demanding Li's resignation in full view of the world media.
The inability to enforce the decree has led to public ridicule of Li and fueled belief that China's leadership has been badly impaired by an internal power struggle sparked by disagreements over dealing with the nation's worst anti-government unrest in almost 40 years.
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Li Jinhua, at a regular briefing, denied reports that conservatives grouped around paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and Li Peng had purged Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang, who leads a moderate grouping.
"There are no changes in the positions of leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, government, army and the standing committee of the National People's Congress," she said.