China civil rights advocate held

One of China’s most well-known civil rights advocates has been formally arrested on charges of disrupting public order, as Beijing cracks down on grassroots efforts to build a civil society that may challenge its rule.

Zhang Qingfang, a lawyer for Xu Zhiyong, said his partner learned of Mr Xu’s arrest from Beijing’s prosecuting office yesterday and that the arrest document should be delivered to Mr Xu’s family soon. The Beijing prosecuting office could not immediately provide information on Mr Xu.

Mr Xu is a moderate but outspoken voice in China’s beleaguered rights movement, campaigning for issues that include equal rights to education, and for officials to declare their assets.

Mr Xu, a founder of the loosely organised New Citizens group, has called for people to hold monthly dinners to discuss China’s constitution and other issues.