#TiananmenSquareMassacre #HongKong
#China #HumanRights #Democracy

June 4, 2023

Today marks 34 years since the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.  According to Western documents, at least several hundred civilians who called for democratization in China died as a result of the armed repression by the Chinese authorities.

During this period, China achieved remarkable economic development and is now a superpower on par with the United States.  On the other hand, the dictatorial reality of its disregard for human rights and life has not changed at all.  This is demonstrated by the repressive policies in Tibet, Uyghur, Hong Kong, etc., its thorough cover-up and information control during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, and its network of surveillance cameras throughout the country.

The Chinese government is trying to erase the Tiananmen Square Massacre from history through media blackouts and strict crackdowns on related gatherings.  However, the resistance of those who seek democracy in China, including Hong Kong's leading activist Chow Hang-tung, has never ceased. The will of the many victims of the massacre, who were killed while hoping for democratization, has been carried on.

On a personal note, in 1987, two years before the Tiananmen Square Massacre, I traveled alone to Tibet and China during my summer vacation from college.  During that trip, I unexpectedly learned of the hatred of the Tibetan people toward the Chinese government and was touched by the earnest desire of the Chinese (Han Chinese) workers for democracy.  Later, after becoming a working adult, I produced a documentary film on Tibetan refugees, keeping their feelings in mind.  Through screenings and lectures, I have addressed the issue of dictatorship in China.

In the future, I will continue to show solidarity with "democrats" in my unique way to make this violence-ridden world a little more harmonious and peaceful.  The incident must never be allowed to fade away.