The Chinese authorities have ordered the closure of an independent association of intellectuals in Beijing which aimed to lobby the government to promote political and other reforms.

The independent group, known as the China Development Union, had been at the forefront of recent efforts by intellectuals in Beijing to promote more open debate.

Intellectual debate was flourishing

Its leader, Peng Ming, claimed the union had a membership of some 4,000 people around the country, dozens of whom met in Beijing in early October for what the group called its first national assembly.

Mr Peng, however, says the authorities have now declared the union an illegal organisation.

The police summoned Mr Peng and two of his associates for questioning and told him he lacked the necessary government approval for such an organisation.

Mr Peng said the police confiscated documents and two computers from the union's office. He said he had also been followed for the last two days by police.

Mr Peng and other known members of the group are not among the better-known dissidents in China. They are more moderate intellectuals who have been encouraged by the relatively relaxed political climate in China in recent months to express their views more openly.

Some intellectuals, including Mr Peng, have described this political atmosphere as a new Beijing spring.

Mr Peng also heads an independent research centre which, since June, has been organising weekly gatherings in Beijing of some 20 or 30 intellectuals to discuss sensitive issues of the day - especially political reform.

An official organisation which had acted as a sponsor of Mr Peng's research group severed its ties earlier this month, apparently because of concern about these meetings.