Van crash cadres' condition unclear

The condition of recently elected Guangdong Vice-Governor Xu Deli and his wife following a serious road accident at the start of the Lunar New Year holiday remains unclear.

A doctor at the Shantou Central Hospital yesterday confirmed that Mr Xu and his wife - Guangzhou Vice-Mayor Wang Shouchu - had improved since they were brought in.

But she said neither was stable enough to receive any visitors.

'At the moment, his wife's condition is relatively more serious,' the doctor said.

She refused to say if either of them had regained consciousness.

A date for their release from hospital has not been set.

Guangdong government officials in Guangzhou were unavailable for comment yesterday.