China warns of subversive currents in society

HONG KONG, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Western constitutional democracy and human rights are among the so-called subversive currents running through Chinese society, a memo warns.

Referred to as Document No. 9, the memo lists seven perils and bears the unmistakable imprimatur of China's new top leader Xi Jinping, The New York Times reported.

Other perils listed in the memo included Western-inspired notions of media independence and civic participation, pro-market "neo-liberalism" and "nihilist" criticisms of the Community Party's traumatic past.

Document No. 9 hasn't been openly published but a version of it was shown to the Times and verified by four sources close to senior officials, including an editor with a party newspaper.

The somber, secretive warning issued by senior Chinese leaders has been shared with Community Party members in meeting halls around China.

"Western forces hostile to China and dissidents within the country are still constantly infiltrating the ideological sphere," Document No. 9 said.

Since the warning was issued, party-run publications and websites have vehemently denounced constitutionalism and civil society.