Officially founded in 1991, the Social Democratic Party of China (SDPC) is described as being one of the largest underground dissident organizations founded in China after the suppression of the pro-democracy movement in 1989 (AI Jan. 1994, 4; BBC Summary 10 Sept. 1992). The SDPC is based in Lanzhou, Gansu's provincial capital, and has liaison organizations in several provinces and cities, including Beijing (ibid.; AI Jan. 1994, 4). Its membership includes students, workers, intellectuals and government cadres (ibid.; BBC Summary 10 Sept. 1992). In its April 1992 manifesto, it called on the National Congress of China (NPC) to implement democratic reforms, urged the release of political prisoners, and called for an end to one-party rule (ibid.; AI Jan. 1994, 4 ). Arrests of SDPC members began in May 1992 (ibid.). For additional information on the SDPC, including arrests of its members, please refer to the attachments.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Amnesty International. January 1994. China: Dissidents Detained Since 1992: Political Trials and Administrative Sentences. (AI Index: ASA 17/05/94). London: Amnesty International.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 10 September 1992. "Hong Kong Paper on Crack-Down on Underground Bodies." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. January 1994. China: Dissidents Detained Since 1992: Political Trials and Administrative Sentences. (AI Index: ASA 17/05/94). London: Amnesty International, pp. 2, 4-5, 12, 25-26.

The Associated Press (AP). 13 July 1992. PM Cycle. "Teacher, Dissident Leader, Finishes Sentence in Canton." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 10 September 1992. "Hong Kong Paper on Crack-Down on Underground Bodies." (NEXIS)

Central News Agency. 29 August 1992. "Peking Arrests 200 Pro-Democracy Activists." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 February 1992. "Social Democrats Urge Gov't to Relax Freedom of Speech." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Tribune [New York]. Winter 1992. Vol. 3, No. 4. "News Update," p. 26.

_____. Summer 1992. Vol. 3, No. 2. "News Update," p. 27.

South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]. 21 September 1993. "Dissidents Face Long Sentences." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 March 1993. Geoffrey Crothall. "Crackdown on Dissent Goes on Despite Prison Releases." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 6 April 1992. BC Cycle. Jeffrey K. Parker. "Shadowy Dissident `Party' Seeks Chinese Communists' Fall." (NEXIS)