APEC restrictions 'worse than prison': China dissident

Chinese authorities have imposed restrictions "worse than prison" on activists ahead of an international diplomatic meeting in Beijing, a leading dissident said today after Washington voiced "deep concern" over human rights in the country.
The measures imposed on dissidents ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit from Monday are the worst since a smothering security clampdown for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said activist Hu Jia.
Hu has campaigned on environmental and HIV-related causes, among others, and was previously jailed for three years on subversion charges.
He has since intermittently been under house arrest, with his latest confinement coming after he voiced support for pro-democracy protests in the southern Chinese city of Hong Kong.

"The restrictions I've faced under house arrest during APEC are worse than when I was in prison," he told AFP. "At least then I had the right to see my family and loved ones."
Police had planned to escort him to Shenzhen to visit his daughter for her seventh birthday -- she lives with his ex-wife -- and ensure he was not in Beijing during the high-profile meeting, he said, a process of forced holidays known among activists as "being travelled".

But the trip was cancelled at the last minute after he had already bought presents and a cake.
"This is her first birthday since entering primary school," Hu said, fighting back tears. "I just wanted to be with her, light some candles and sing 'Happy Birthday'."

Hu's comments came just hours after the White House released a statement by National Security Advisor Susan Rice expressing "the administration's deep concern regarding the treatment of human rights defenders" in China.
Rice made the comments while discussing "the deterioration of China's human rights situation" with American and Chinese advocates in Washington, the White House said.