Unusual Security For Zhao Ziyang Death Anniversary

There was tightened security around the Beijing home of late leader Zhao Ziyang on Thursday, the 14th anniversary of the former premier's death.

Many of Zhao's former colleagues had turned up to pay respects to the leader who was purged over his sympathy for student protesters during the 1989 Tiananmen protests .

His daughter, Wang Yannan, said security was tighter than usual this year and even some family members had been questioned by security agents on the roads leading to the former premier's home.

"Many friends have been stopped and searched outside, and to have all of you here today is pretty much a miracle. When compared to January the 17th over the past several years, today's security is particularly tight. It hasn't been this tight for many years... even members of our family were stopped and questioned in the past couple of days."

Wang said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre and she hoped the country will have a new judgement on the crackdown.

Zhao was placed under house arrest for 16 years until he died in 2005.

During a high-profile ceremony late last year, President Xi Jinping read out the names of former leaders, praising them for their contributions to the country's reform and opening up. But he didn't mention Zhao.

A former People's Daily reporter paying his respects said Zhao's name should definitely have been on the list.

"His name was not mentioned when the country celebrated the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up, I think that is very unjust. He had an enormous impact on the process of reform and opening up. Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang had the support of Deng Xiaoping. And this line-up was called the Hu-Zhao new governance."

Zhao's ashes are still being kept at the family's home. His relatives said they hope the authorities will one day allow the ashes to be buried in a cemetery.