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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 OPINION 
7

What Happened to the Tiananmen Spirit?

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(Newser) – Twenty years ago today, Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times was in Tiananmen Square, sweating in fear and watching as "'People’s China' opened fire on its people." The soldiers had shot at ambulances, too, so no one was helping the wounded—except the rickshaw drivers. One driver, tears in his eyes, stopped so Kristof could photograph his cart full of bodies. He “perhaps couldn’t have defined democracy, but he had risked his life to advance it.”

It was a night filled with acts of courage. So what happened? Why are there no protests today? Kristof theorizes that the people “were demanding not precisely a parliamentary democracy, but a better life—and they got it.” But with an educated middle class comes political aspirations. China may soon find itself on the same path Taiwan and South Korea took. Democracy could come without a bullet being fired.

Ann Lau places candles by a portable memorial which demonstators placed at the front door of the Chinese Consulate in LA to mark the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, June 4, 2004.
Ann Lau places candles by a portable memorial which demonstators placed at the front door of the Chinese Consulate in LA to mark the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, June 4, 2004.   (Getty Images)
Students of the University of Hong Kong attend a pro-democracy rally to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre of June 04, 1989 in Beijing, on May 31, 2009 in Hong Kong.
Students of the University of Hong Kong attend a pro-democracy rally to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre of June 04, 1989 in Beijing, on May 31, 2009 in Hong Kong.   (Getty Images)
In this June 5, 1989 file photo, a Chinese man stands alone to block a line of tanks heading east on Beijing's Cangan Blvd. in Tiananmen Square.
In this June 5, 1989 file photo, a Chinese man stands alone to block a line of tanks heading east on Beijing's Cangan Blvd. in Tiananmen Square.   (AP Photo/Jeff Widener, File)
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One of my Chinese friends explains that if he were to protest loudly, he might be arrested; if he were to protest quietly, it would be a
waste of time. - Nicholas Kristof

People in Beijing may not have the vote, but they do have an infant mortality rate that is 27 percent lower than New York City’s. - Nicholas Kristof

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7 comments
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Reader2795
Jun 4, 09 9:19 AM CDT
The year was 1979, and the Community Party in China made a conscious decision that change the way of government and its people. It move to a more benevolent form of Communism slowly inching its way toward a more socialist form to include entrepreneurial concepts. With some 80+ diverse population the use of a Republic or Democracy would bring Chaos. Mao knew this, and even though corruption is still an issue, the path chosen has led China to point 30 years later that will supersede the US as most powerful economic, and military power on the Planet. While the Communist are still a strong force and this day's anniversary reinforced its power over people those leaders also knew that it was necessary maintain a slow change toward the place they are at today. Rather than look at China as a dictatorship, look at the progress economically and culturally it holds. If the same event would have taken place at the Mall in DC what would our government do to preserve its control over the people? the same action!!! Reply
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northeast
Jun 4, 09 10:22 AM CDT
This is why we ran over Tea Party protesters with tanks. Thanks! I had been wondering about that.
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+1
PaleRider
Jun 4, 09 10:42 AM CDT
The year was [2008], and the Community (Democrat) Party in [the USA] made a conscious decision that change the way of government and its people. It move to a more benevolent form of Communism slowly inching its way toward a more socialist form to include. See how that works. Reply
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-3
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skeptik
Jun 4, 09 12:12 PM CDT
rubbish
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Reader2795
Jun 4, 09 3:28 PM CDT
look back to 1999 it was Phil Graham that killed the golden goose, in the name of greed.
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0

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