China arrests another high-profile dissident charged

CHINA'S BIGGEST crackdown on dissidents for three years is likely to claim another high- profile victim, Wang Ce, a leader of the Alliance of Democratic Parties, which is based abroad.

Mr Wang, 50, was granted political asylum in Spain but lives in the US and smuggled himself back into China. He has been charged with endangering state security, providing finance for criminal acts and entering the country illegally. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Mr Wang was arrested after visiting Wang Youcai, one of the leaders of the China Democracy Party, which has been the focus of the dissident round- up. Last week Wang Youcai was given an 11-year sentence for his role in establishing an opposition party.

Although tiny, the new opposition party has alarmed the Peking authorities because it appears to have a nationwide base.