A SHANGHAI human rights activist has been relieved of his teaching duties at the Shanghai Medical School (SMS) apparently because of his connections with pro-democracy activists. Researcher Bao Ge was informed last Tuesday that he did not have to report to work anymore because of redundancy. The suspension order took effect immediately, Mr Bao said. The SMS claimed that Mr Bao was made redundant because there was not enough work at the school, but sources claimed that he got into trouble because of his connection with the dissident community in Shanghai and his participation in the movement to seek reparation from Japan. In three months the school will decide if Mr Bao will get his job back. In the meantime, Mr Bao will continue to receive his salary but will only be eligible for about 100 yuan (HK$134) of social insurance after the three-month suspension. The SMS will decide in a year from now whether to formally dismiss him. Although Mr Bao declined to speculate on his suspension, he confirmed that he was the only redundancy at the school. ''There have been so many teachers going into business recently and there is a shortage of teachers at schools,'' said one Shanghai activist. ''It is ridiculous to suggest that a young teacher like Bao is not needed because there is not enough work.'' Meanwhile, Shanghai Public Security authorities have taken a more conciliatory approach in their handling of veteran dissident Zhang Xianliang. Sources said Yan Huili, the wife of Zhang, was permitted to visit him last week at the Shanghai Qingpu Labour Reform Farm, where the dissident was sentenced to three years ''re-education through labour''. Mr Zhang looked relatively healthy and apparently had been exempted from hard labour, sources said. ''Zhang was treated relatively well because they [the authorities] know he is a respectable leader of the pro-democracy circle in Shanghai,'' a source said. In a separate development, Shanghai activists will start a new publication later this year to provide a communication channel. It will not be circulated publicly and will mainly concentrate on theoretical studies related to the pro-democracymovement, according to activist Yang Zhou. Mr Yang, who will likely be responsible for its editorial, said they were ready to ''take the risk'' of offending the authorities. ''We understand there will be certain risks involved but we will be working within the confines of the constitution and will not engage in any illegal activities,'' he said. According to Mr Yang, he had to suspend the publication of a newsletter called Public Bulletin last March when Shanghai police arrested fellow activists Fu Jiqing and Sun Lin. Both have since been freed but are under pressure to maintain a low profile.