More than 300 Chinese intellectuals have signed a document challenging the country's Communist leaders to end one-party rule.
The declaration, called Charter 08, was inspired by Charter 77 which was drawn up by Czechoslovakian dissidents during the Soviet era. By Tuesday night, the authorities had already moved against those responsible, an informal group headed by lawyers and journalists.
The bold plea for political reform calls on the government to allow freedom of expression and association and to give up Communist Party control over the legal system. It was submitted to coincide with today's 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The charter called for freedom of expression and association, open competitive elections and stripping away Communist party control of military forces. With China risking a steep economic slowdown, the activists said inaction could breed calamity.
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