Remember Tiananmen Square? In 1989 a pro democracy protest led by students ended in violence. At the time, Zhao Ziang was the communist party leader who gave up his privileges and his freedom to stand up for something he believed in - that governments should listen to their people.
The Economist tells the story of how he arrived a the protests at Tiananmen Square after meetings with and tearfully told them through a megaphone that he had come too late.
AT DAWN on May 19th 1989, when the pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square were at their height and looking like a serious threat to Chinese Communist Party rule, the party’s leader, Zhao Ziyang, suddenly appeared among the protesting students. Addressing them tearfully through a megaphone, he said he had come “too late”. He did not say what he meant but, in the coded language of Chinese political rhetoric, his message was abundantly clear. He had come too late to save the demonstrators—and he wanted them to leave the square before it was too late for them. The next day, martial law was declared in Beijing. Fifteen days later, with the protesters still ignoring Mr Zhao’s warning, soldiers from the People’s Army opened fire on them, killing hundreds.
After Zhao challenged paramount leader Deng Xiaoping's order to use force to clear the square, the party concluded that he had "committed the serious mistake of supporting the turmoil and splitting the party." He was dishonoured and kept under house arrest – never to be seen again in public.
Zhao was a true leader of honor, a champion of reform at a time of momentous change in China. He listened to the people and engaged with them in a discussion about their desire for democracy. His leadership won him the respect of the people of China and around the world. Had he not been deposed we might be seeing a very different China today.
Even the White House had high praise for Zhao. According to Newsday:
White House Mourns Death of China's Zha
The White House on Tuesday showered praise on ousted Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, calling the former Communist Party chief who died on Monday "a man of moral courage."
The effusive comments, unusual even for a White House well accustomed to issuing laudatory statements about those who have died, were in stark contrast to the treatment of Zhao's death by Chinese leaders, who appeared to have no plans to honor him in death.
They also were remarkable because the United States, aware of China's importance as a regional economic and military powerhouse and partner in stalled talks to end North Korea's nuclear program, often tries to avoid public rebukes of the government there.
FURTHER READING
- There's a thoughtful and heartfelt opinion piece from Rebecca at RConversation:
In the long run I do not think that Mr. Zhao will have suffered in vain. He stood for the belief that governments should listen to their people. He believed that his government would be strengthened, not weakened by doing so - although it would definitely be changed. Because he stood up, the Chinese government today is probably listening more (albeit quietly and gradually) than it might have otherwise. Ways are found to let people blow off steam locally, on specific issues, before problems come to a head. Police and surveillance are handily deployed too. The current leadership knows they cannot afford another confrontation like the one that happened in 1989. I think they will manage to avoid one. But gradually, slowly over time, I do think China's government will become more participatory. Maybe even participatory enough to be called democratic some day. For that we can thank Zhao Ziyang.
- along the journey has a good collection of links. Thanks Joann, for drawing my attention to this inspiring story :-)
- China Digital News has a huge collection of news reports about Zhao.
