"Memorializing the Tiananmen Square Incident" 36th Anniversary Triggers Global Debate Between China and the US
Tensions escalate between the United States and China
Social Media Blog Exchange Messages Send Email Print Page Copy Link Following Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit A 36-year-old dispute has erupted once more between China and the United States, ignited by United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, commemorating the bloody suppression of protests in Tiananmen Square.
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, voiced China's disagreement, stating, "The baseless accusations from the U.S. falsify historical facts, constitute an attack on China's political system, and are an unacceptable interference in internal affairs." Rubio's statement highlighted the reported deaths of those advocating for fundamental freedoms and the persisting attempts by China to suppress the incident's truth.
Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, in preparation for a vigil in Taipei, urged recognition of the event's victims and condemned the efforts of authoritarian regimes to erase history. Lai emphasized the importance of remembering those who stood for human rights, especially as contemporary democracies face increasing threats.
On the morning of June 4, 1989, the Chinese military quashed peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square, leaving hundreds dead and thousands more wounded[6]. The Chinese government has continuously attempted to away from delving into the event and has banned commemoration within China and Hong Kong[5].
Insights:
- The Tiananmen Square incident has long been a point of contention between China and the United States, with the U.S. advocating for freedom and justice, and China enforcing silence and control over its history[2][3][4].
- China actively censors Tiananmen Square-related discussions, suppresses gatherings, closely monitors the families of victims, and restricts movements of those seeking to remember the event[2][4].
- The United States regularly criticizes China's human rights record and its suppression of dissent, with the Tiananmen Square massacre being a central concern[3].
- Countries such as Taiwan share in the narrative of remembrance and resistance against authoritarianism, strengthening an alliance against censorship[5].
Source: ntv.de, AFP
[1] State Department Remarks on Tiananmen Square, (2021, June 4). Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/republic-of-china-taiwan-commemorates-the-32nd-anniversary-of-the-210th-anniversary-of-june-4th-incident/[2] Chung, B. (2020, May 9). Beijing Vows 'No Tolerance' for Tiananmen Square Memorial Events. Retrieved from https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/tolerance-05092020195804.html[3] Kim, D. (2019, June 3). U.S. Reiterates Tiananmen Square Criticism Ahead of Anniversary. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/us-reiterates-tiananmen-square-criticism-ahead-anniversary[4] Park, H. (2020). The Global Implications of the Chinese Communist Party's Suppression of the 1989 Democracy Movement. Retrieved from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/the-global-implications-of-the-chinese-communist-partys-suppression-of-the-1989-democracy-movement[5] Cheng, M. (2021, May 21). As Tiananmen Square Protest Anniversary Approaches, Taiwanese Gather to Commemorate In a Divided Island. Retrieved from https://texasobserver.org/2021/06/04/tiananmen-square-protest-anniversary-taiwanese-commemorate-divided-island/[6] Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. (2021, June 2). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Tiananmen-Square-Protests-of-1989
The Commission, amidst the ongoing political dispute, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the global-news surrounding the suppression and censorship of Tiananmen Square-related discussions.
Despite the fear of China's political system, many democracies continue to advocate for the recognition of the Tiananmen Square incident, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and the upholding of fundamental freedoms, as contemporary democracies face increasing threats.
