The World - News from Aug. 14, 1989

China has sentenced the peasant leader of a secret organization to death for counterrevolutionary activities, according to a provincial radio report reaching Beijing. The report said Li Lianting, of eastern Shandong province, enrolled 130 members into the organization, called the Great East Asia Buddhist Society, and “conducted reactionary propaganda . . . and slandered and abused party and state leaders.” It did not indicate whether his activities were linked to pro-democracy protests in April, May and June that were crushed by the military. Meanwhile, in a continuing purge of liberals, Beijing sources said authorities will replace Minister of Culture Wang Meng and two vice ministers later this month.