Chinese security forces have arrested and removed hundreds of members of the outlawed Falungong spiritual group, who were staging one of their biggest ever demonstrations in Bejing's Tianenamen Square this morning.
The group had widely publicised their intention to stage the protest to mark today's 51st anniversary of the founding of the state, China's National Day. Police later closed off the square to avoid more members gaining access.
The police arrested hundreds of the Falun Gong members after protests broke out on the square with foreign and Chinese tourists.
One group had a red banner stating "Falun Gong is good" beneath a portrait of Chairman Mao looking over the square, but officers soon took the banner and the protesters away.
