BEIJING (AP) - A man who challenged the Communist Party during President Clinton's visit was freed from prison Friday, dissidents in exile said.

Lin Hui was released from a detention center in the eastern city of Hangzhou, said Wang Bingzhang, spokesman of the U.S.-based Chinese Democracy and Justice Party.

Lin was one of at least a dozen people detained in China's most concerted crackdown on dissidents in years. All but one, Wang Youcai, have been released.

Police began the sweep on July 10, a week after Clinton wrapped up a nine-day tour of China during which he called for greater political and religious freedom.

The dissidents had used Clinton's visit to test China's tolerance and challenge the political monopoly of its Communist Party. On June 25, the start of President Clinton's nine-day China tour, they announced the formation of a pro-democracy party. But authorities refused to let the China Democracy Party register, as required by law.

On Thursday, the Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China said nearly 100 democracy campaigners are planning a march through two cities next week.

Campaigners in Hangzhou and the central city of Changsha applied for parade permits from police, who routinely turn down applications for protest marches.

Although the penalty for parading illegally can be heavy, more than 90 people pledged to join in even if permission is refused, said Lu Siqing, the center's spokesman.

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