Beijing - China freed a prominent labour activist and sent him and his family into exile in the US yesterday, in an apparent move to deflect international criticism on the eve of a new dissident trial.
Mr Liu Nianchun (50), was released on medical parole "taking in consideration of his behavior at (the) centre for education through labour and his health conditions", according to officials.
Tomorrow, a leading Chinese dissident, Mr Xu Wenli (55), is scheduled to stand trial for trying to set up the Chinese Democratic Party, an opposition group.
