Removal Crews at Home of Late Chinese Premier Ahead of CCP Centenary

Authorities in Beijing have begun moving large numbers of items out of the former residence of late ousted premier Zhao Ziyang ahead of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s centenary celebrations on July 1, RFA has learned. A relative of the late premier, who was forced from office for a too-lenient attitude to the 1989 student-led protests on Tiananmen Square to spend the rest of his life under house arrest, confirmed the move. Removal company staff entered the traditional Beijing courtyard home at No. 6 Fuqiang Alley in Beijing's Dongcheng district on Thursday morning, packing a large number of items into a vehicle.

The Zhao family member confirmed by phone that the family -- which has been given notice to leave the state-owned property -- is in the process of removing his belongings. But they declined to elaborate on which items were being moved, or their personal or political significance. "We had been planning to move out anyway, and this is happening gradually," the family member said. "We don't know exactly when we will complete the move. As to the value of the items, it depends on your point of view. This is an entirely personal matter."

Since Zhao's death at the age of 85 in January 2005, the house has been occupied by his daughter Wang Yannan and her family.

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