China quietly removed its chief censor, who had provoked a furore on the internet this year with a ban on eight books, yesterday. At the same time it unveiled new rules aimed at ensuring greater government transparency as part of a campaign to eradicate corruption and misrule.

Given the silence surrounding the departure of Long Xinmin, head of the powerful General Administration of Press and Publication, it was unclear just how much transparency will sit comfortably with China’s traditionally secretive rulers.

Mr Long will retain his current rank but become a deputy director of the Central Party Literature Research Centre — a clear demotion. Officials declined to give a reason for his transfer, amid speculation about his possible involvement in a corrupt land deal or that the publicity triggered by his ban on the books had embarrassed party leaders.

The ban on eight books that examined sensitive events in recent Chinese history resulted in a wave of anger on the internet, prompting the authorities to allow the books to remain on sale until stocks ran out.

New print runs, however, have been prohibited and the publishing houses punished. Zhang Yihe, one of the most prominent authors, who applied to a Beijing court last week to overturn the ban on her book about stars of Peking Opera, told The Times she could not be sure that there was any link to Mr Long’s effective dismissal.

She said: “I hope the new chief will treat the spiritual fruits of China’s countless intellectuals with an attitude that is less rude and less dictatorial.”

The Government has sought to curb the flow of information to avoid social unrest threatening its rule.

Mr Long had said last month that he planned to tighten controls on China’s growing multitude of bloggers, a statement in line with policy but at odds with government efforts to cultivate a more liberal international image before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As part of that campaign, Wen Jiabao, the Prime Minister, has approved new regulations that empower citizens to demand information about government finances and economic plans, statistics, land development, environmental rules and many other policies.

All this is within strict limits. The Communist Party is far from ready for complete transparency, since the rules offer a broad opt-out for officials, saying that information released should not harm state security or social stability and giving the final say when in doubt to the state secrecy bureaux.

The new rules do not take effect until May 2008, three months before the Olympics.

They will ensure that people can ask for government information free, based on their needs for business, life or research. Areas where the Government should release information swiftly include “sudden public incidents” — a reference to accidents and epidemics such as the 2003 Sars outbreak, which the Government tried to cover up initially.

Information about land seizures and the demolition of housing — explosive issues in recent years often involving secret dealings between officials and developers — must also be provided. Citizens will have the right to appeal and ultimately take officials to court if legitimate requests are rebuffed.

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