The Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said a funeral parlour in Hunan province confirmed that his body was cremated this morning.

The family of Mr Li, who have demanded a thorough investigation into his death, could not be contacted.

Mr Li, a supporter of the 1989 pro-democracy movement, was found hanged in a hospital earlier this week in suspicious circumstances. His family say they don't believe the authorities' claim that he committed suicide.

Several Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress have said they will ask Beijing to look into Mr Li's death.