China's modern day preachers of Maoist ideology find an unexpected ally in President Xi Jinping and they lost no time playing the role of thought police to the hilt.

The Chinese president's traditionalist views, coupled with internal Communist Party policy, had led to a crackdown on artists, party cadres and academics who are perceived to have strayed from the chairman's teachings.

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In the crosshairs of the ideology enforcers were a Beijing law professor, Wang Congsheng, and newspaper columnist, Wang Yaofeng. Both lost their jobs for voicing views not in line with the ruling party's direction.

A Beijing professor of journalism, Qiao Mu, said Xi's rise to power has led to tighter control and pressure over freethinkers. He faced demotion last year, in part for openly supporting free speech and multi-party elections.

After two years of efforts to quell dissent, Xi has stepped up action against perceived ideological dissent, which sat well with hard-liners who found Xi a worthy successor to Chairman Mao Zedong.

Last week, Xi came out with guidelines telling colleges to keep a tight rein on ideological work in higher education. He was more blunt In internal orders, wary of liberal thinking as an immediate threat that has spread through the ranks of the Communist Party'.

The president told cares not to allow singing to a tune that is not consistent with the party center.

Modern-day Maoists lost considerable influence before Xi came to power. They have another lease on life after another internal document, Document No. 30, supported warnings against "universal" values, media independence and criticism of Mao.

A prominent neo-Maoist, Zhang Hongliang said it is the best time to lean to the left in China.  He said Xi brought dramatic changes, shattering the sky."

Xi's recent orders threw away initial suspicions that his ideological stand was a way to establish credibility with traditionalists as he settled into his new role.

TagsMaoists, thought police, freethinkers