'Olympic Torch re-lit in Tiananmen Square'
I'm not sure how many people are aware of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989, but the news article above inspired me to write briefly about the issue. In 19 years, China's attitude towards political activism and calls for democratic reforms has not changed. If the government can do what it did to its Chinese students calling for democracy, what makes us think it will show restraint when it comes to Tibetans calling for independence?
Hu Yaobang was the Secretary General of the Communist Party of China and a very prominent reformer. He spoke out against the excesses of 'Maoism', was in favour of Tibetan autonomy, and partial towards China's liberal intelligentsia. Deng Xiaoping removed Hu from his post in 1987, main reason being Hu's diversion from the CPC's political principles. Hu died of a heart attack on 15 April 1989. Public mourning followed. In Beijing, this was concentrated on the Monument to the People's Heros in Tiananmen Square.
This gathering became an opportunity for the people (mostly students) to express anger against perceived nepotism and corruption in the government, and to demand democratic reforms. Protests started small in April, with a mass sit-in and demands to see government leaders. They then gained momentum when news of confrontation between protestors and students, and the media's contortion of the nature of the protests spread. People from all walks of life joined in. Students called for a strike in universities.
On May 4, around 100,000 students and workers marched in Beijing demanding a dialogue between the government and student-elected representatatives. Government refused On May 13, hundreds of students started a hunger strike for a week. The public began to realize the students were serious about their demands and public support grew.
After several failed attempts to dismiss the peaceful protestors, the government began an assault on the night of June 3, sending military tanks and armed troops who began shooting and beating up students. Soldiers were indiscriminately shooting at hundreds of unarmed protestors, even hurting nearby residents who were not involved in the protests. By the morning of June 4, hundreds of civilians had been killed, many more injured, and the Square was 'cleared'. The protests had been 'effectively' dealt with by the Chinese government. The exact number of casualties is unclear as the government never released official numbers or even a list of the deceased.
This massacre may have been hushed up if not for the presence of Western media that had been invited to cover the visit of Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, in May. There eventually was a clampdown on the media, with the government shutting down satellite transmissions and even arresting foreign journalists.
So there it is. My quick summary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. An example of how the Chinese communist government deals with dissent, and its blatant disregard for human rights. Now try and imagine how the protesting Tibetan monks and nuns are being dealt with right now.
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