Source: Mashable
Twenty six years ago, thousands of Chinese troops entered Tiananmen Square and opened fire on unarmed protesters. As many as one million demonstrators–mostly university-age liberals–had gathered there in the weeks prior, seeking both political and economic reforms. While the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had silenced previous demonstrations, the violent retaking of the Square was so brutal that it earned the name the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
Source: The New York Times
We still don’t know how many people died at Tiananmen Square in 1989, as the Chinese government has done everything in its power to suppress and forget about the activities that took place that day. While official records say that 241 people lost their lives, most estimates suggest that number is much higher. A doctor at the time said that 500 lives were lost, while a radio announcer reported the Tiananmen death toll at more than 1,000 people.
Source: ABC
It’s interesting to see the way things have and haven’t changed over the past two and a half decades in China. Freedom House, an independent organization dedicated to promoting freedom around the world, labeled China as “Not Free” in their 2014 Freedom in the World report, giving the country almost the lowest score possible–in nearly every category (see their ranking methodologies and definitions here). A number of factors contribute to the country’s lack of freedom, but most can be boiled down to the Chinese government.
Source: International Business Times
The government’s grip on its constituents is strong and unyielding. With the current climate, there are few opportunities for people to speak out and enact change. The Chinese Communist Party has a monopoly on political power: organized opposition is illegal, and independent political parties are strictly forbidden. Those who participate in such organizations face jail time or injuries just for speaking their minds. The CCP’s complete domination over the government and, therefore, the policies that guide the country, ensure that only they can make the rules.
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