Liberal magazine Yanhuang Chunqiu's successor plan stalled amid red tape and intense political pressure

The fate of liberal political magazine Yanhuang Chunqiu hangs in the balance after an effort to save its editorial independence suffered a major setback.

The magazine's publisher Du Daozheng said Hu Deping, late liberal leader Hu Yaobang's son whom he had asked to succeed him, was currently unable to do so.

Du, 91, hence, has to continue heading the publication.

Yanhuang Chunqiu, which is known for its outspoken articles that contest official versions of party history, has for many years been under political pressure to soften its editorial stance.

In September, authorities ordered it to switch its organisational affiliation to the Chinese National Academy of Arts, a body under the culture ministry - a move that rendered the magazine more vulnerable to censors. Like all state publications, it has to operate under a government-linked organisation responsible for its content.

Concerned for Yanhuang Chunqiu's editorial independence under the new administration, Du decided in October to pass leadership of the magazine to Hu. He also appointed Lu De, late vice-premier Lu Dingyi's son, as its deputy publisher and legal representative.

But last month, Hu, former vice-chairman of the United Front Work Department, told Du that as a retired minister, he had to submit to many formalities in order to take up the post. The same applied for Lu, also a former official.