BEIJING, Jan 15: Zhao Ziyang, toppled as China's Communist Party chief for opposing the army crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy protesters, is in a coma in hospital after multiple strokes, sources close to the family said on Saturday.

The government put Mr Zhao, now 85, under house arrest following his removal, fearing the residual influence of modern China's icon of reform could spark widespread protests.

"My dad suffered yet another stroke last night ... and is still in critical condition after emergency treatment," a source quoted Mr Zhao's daughter, Wang Yannan, as saying.

She did not say how many strokes her father had had. "He can't receive visitors now," Mr Wang, who changed her name to keep a low profile, was quoted as saying. "We ask friends to pray with us for my father."

Hong Kong-based human rights activist Frank Lu, and a third source who has regular contact with the family, said Mr Zhao was in a coma. "The doctors are not optimistic about the situation, whether he can make it through the rest of today," Mr Lu said after speaking with a source close to Mr Zhao.

Mr Zhao has been confined to his courtyard home in the Chinese capital for sympathizing with the student-led demonstrations, centred on Tiananmen Square, in June 1989. -Reuters