THE body of Deng Xiaoping was taken from Beijing military hospital No 301 early today for cremation in a city cemetery.
The ashes of the Chinese leader, who died last Wednesday aged 92, are then due be transported to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing's Tiananmen Square for tomorrow's state funeral.
The cortege was led by four black cars followed by a white van bedecked with black and yellow ribbons, the colours of mourning in China. The van served as the hearse for Deng's body and was flanked by two limousines flying red flags.
About 100 Communist Party officials and veterans, and family members, took part in simple ceremonies at 9 a.m. at the hospital where Deng's body has been kept, since his death.
In accordance with the wishes, there will be no public display of the body.
Hundreds of armed police lined the streets along the 2.5 km route to the cemetery from the military hospital where Deng's body has lain since he died last Wednesday aged 92.
The cortege of about 30 vehicles moved at a pace slightly faster than walking to allow thousands of mourners lining the route a last glimpse of the man who ruled China for 18 years.
At tomorrow's ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, the ashes will be placed in a casket covered by the Chinese red flag with five stars below a huge portrait of Deng on the auditorium stage.
To prevent the funeral being hijacked by opponents of the government wishing to highlight - grievances - which has happened before at big Chinese funerals all unauthorised demonstrations such as the carrying of wreaths and placards and the wearing of black armbands, have been banned in Tiananmen Square.
There have been two reported detentions in the area of the square since Deng died, one of a man with a wreath and another carrying a pro Deng placard.
After years when photographs of Deng Xiaoping rarely appeared, Beijing appears to be launching a personality cult around the former revolutionary who opened China to market reforms. Books, posters and political memorabilia have been appearing in state controlled stores and bookshops.
Reuter reports: Many Chinese Catholics offered prayers for Deng, with some voicing disappointment that the church had not paid tribute to him at Mass yesterday.
"Deng Xiaoping's death is a misfortune for us Chinese," said one believer at the Xishiku church in central Beijing. "I hope God will take care of him," he said. However, a priest clad in purple robes made no mention of Deng's death in his sermon to the huge congregation.
"I prayed in my heart but I was a little disappointed that the priest did not hold a tribute to him. They should have brought it up and had a minute or two of silent tribute."