Paul Mooney wrote on Asia Times online: “As intellectuals, activists and netizens continue to defy Chinese Communist Party efforts to maintain its monopoly on the truth, freedom of expression is coming under fierce pressure not seen in recent years. The party’s determination to fetter them was revealed on Monday when three outspoken intellectuals were detained for intimidating questioning – and released on Tuesday.
The sudden pressure comes at a time when party chief and President Hu Jintao has consolidated his political power. It had been hoped by many that he would be a moderate reformer (and in some cases he had shown himself to be one). Similarly, it was hoped he would take a kinder, gentler line when it came to media and free expression. ”
