Hopes of political reform raised by a new book seeking widespread change have been scotched by President Jiang Zemin.
The book is stirring excitement among liberal Beijing intellectuals, who hope it will lead to a more open debate on constitutional reform and freedom of information.
However, that hope is being dampened by the news that Mr Jiang has twice recently set limits for reform, ruling out ideas including a multi-party system and direct elections for national leaders.
Political China: Facing the Era of Choosing a New Structure compiles 39 essays written by 32 scholars, journalists and former government officials who were dismissed for pro-democracy leanings.
The book was edited by senior Guangming Daily senior editor Dong Yuyu and China Economic Times senior editor Shi Binghai.
In the book, Jiang Ping, former head of the University of Political Science and Law, writes: 'Discussing political structural reform is not just an armchair strategy, but will build up psychological anticipation for the reform in society.' However, Beijing sources said the atmosphere in the capital was not conducive to promoting political debate.
