AFP: China steps up controls ahead of deposed leader Zhao’s funeral

From Yahoo News: “China tightened controls today over funeral arrangements for deposed leader Zhao Ziyang, censoring the guest list, banning government cadres from attending and tearing down grass-roots memorials.

‘They’re forbidding current government officials from all levels from attending,’ said a nephew of Zhao’s, who declined to be named.

‘Some of them, especially from Henan, Guangdong and Sichuan provinces have asked for permission to attend. There are many restrictions on who can attend.’

The reformist former Communist Party head was born in Henan province and had worked as party boss in Guangdong and Sichuan.”