Reunions for dissidents

AS a goodwill gesture towards the administration of US President Mr Bill Clinton, China yesterday released video footage to CNN of prominent Tiananmen activists spending the Lunar New Year with their families.

The video was broadcast late last night on CNN's World Report and included rare footage of dissident editors Wang Juntao and Chen Ziming and student leader Wang Dan.

Apparently filmed by the China Central Television as the footage showed exceptionally good quality, the ''silent'' video offered no explanation why the activists were allowed the family unions and made no reference to their health.

While the 90-second video showed Wang Juntao and Chen eating dumplings with their families, Wang Dan appeared smiling holding a young child.

Although the three appeared to be in ''good health and spirit'', sources said Wang Juntao stayed in a prison hospital for treatment of his hepatitis.

Last month, a statement was issued by Wang Dan's family denying he had been released stating that the student leader decided to serve out the sentence in jail unless he was declared innocent.

Informed sources said the video was targeted at the Clinton administration which was expected to take a tough position on China's human rights records.