http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989
Forbidden topic in mainland China
Further information: Censorship in the People's Republic of China
The Communist Party of China (CPC) does not allow discussion of the Tiananmen Square protests as it is considered taboo.[137] The CPC has taken measures to block or censor information. Textbooks reportedly have little, if any, information related to the protests.[138] Access to media and internet resources on the subject are restricted or blocked by censors.[139]
The CPCs official stance towards the incident is that its actions were necessary in order to control a 'political disturbance' [140] and helped to ensure stability and economic success.[141] President Hu Jintao reiterated this stance during a visit to France in 2004, stating that "the government took determined action to calm the political storm of 1989, and enabled China to enjoy a stable development." President Hu stated that the government would not change its view on the protests.[142] An overview of the political decisions by the CPC leadership during the protests is available through a collection of documents compiled in a book titled the Tiananmen Papers. However, the authenticity of these documents is contested by the CPC.[143]
The public memory of the Tiananmen Square protests has been suppressed by the CPC since 1989. Print media containing reference to the protests must be consistent with the governments version of events.[140] As of 2009, internet users in China who search for '4 June' on search engines have the results censored. If a user attempts to access an English language version of the Google search engine in China, they are redirected to the Chinese version where the results of '4 June' are not related to the massacre.[144] The Chinese-language versions of Wikipedia and YouTube are not censored, however, access to these websites are blocked in China.[138][144] Presently, many Chinese citizens are reluctant to speak about the protests due to the possibility of repercussions such as jail time.[145] However, some individuals do publicly speak out such as Ding Zilin, and organizations like Tiananmen Mothers. In 2007, several Chengdu Wanbao newspaper staff were fired after failing to recognize an advertisement that had paid tribute to the mothers of victims of the massacre.[144] The clerk that was in charge of approving advertisements allegedly did not recognize the meaning of the advertisement because she was too young.[146]
Leading up to and during the 20th anniversary of the massacre on 4 June 2009, the CPC increased security around the square. Members of the Public Security Bureau and the Peoples Armed Police were present during the 20th anniversary at the square in uniform along with several hundred plain clothes officers.[147] Tourists were allowed into the square during the anniversary but were subject to having their bags searched. Journalists however, were denied entry into the square.[147] Journalists were prevented from reporting on protest related issues through the media and internet. Journalists who attempted to film at the square or interview dissidents were briefly detained.[148] They were also barred from filming the raising of the Chinese flag.[149] Also leading up to the 20th anniversary the CPC began to censor internet websites and social networking services such as Twitter, Flickr and Hotmail.[139][150] It has also been reported that issues of The Financial Times and The Economist containing articles about the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre had the pages ripped out.[139] Staff at a Chinese TV station were suspended from their jobs because they allowed footage of the Tank Man and a Hong Kong candlelight vigil for the 20th anniversary of the protests be broadcast in the mainland.[151] Hong Kong is the only Chinese territory where people are permitted to demonstrate about the massacre.[150]
Dissidents in Beijing were told to leave the city or were forced to stay inside their homes.[150] Others were temporarily relocated to other areas of the country.[148][150] They were told not to speak to media, write articles, give interviews or organize demonstrations about the anniversary and have been closely monitored by authorities.[140] Foreign journalists are also monitored in order to prevent contact with dissidents.[144] Dissidents who fled the country after 1989 were denied entry into Hong Kong and Macau for the 20th anniversary.[149][150][152][153]
Over the years some Chinese citizens have called for a reassessment of the protests and compensation from the government to victims families. One group in particular, Tiananmen Mothers, seeks compensation, vindication for victims and the right to receive donations from within the mainland and abroad.[141] Zhang Shijun, a former soldier who was involved in the military crackdown, had published an open letter to President Hu Jintao seeking to have the government reevaluate its position on the protests. He was subsequently arrested and taken from his home.[154]
Forbidden topic in mainland China
Further information: Censorship in the People's Republic of China
The Communist Party of China (CPC) does not allow discussion of the Tiananmen Square protests as it is considered taboo.[137] The CPC has taken measures to block or censor information. Textbooks reportedly have little, if any, information related to the protests.[138] Access to media and internet resources on the subject are restricted or blocked by censors.[139]
The CPCs official stance towards the incident is that its actions were necessary in order to control a 'political disturbance' [140] and helped to ensure stability and economic success.[141] President Hu Jintao reiterated this stance during a visit to France in 2004, stating that "the government took determined action to calm the political storm of 1989, and enabled China to enjoy a stable development." President Hu stated that the government would not change its view on the protests.[142] An overview of the political decisions by the CPC leadership during the protests is available through a collection of documents compiled in a book titled the Tiananmen Papers. However, the authenticity of these documents is contested by the CPC.[143]
The public memory of the Tiananmen Square protests has been suppressed by the CPC since 1989. Print media containing reference to the protests must be consistent with the governments version of events.[140] As of 2009, internet users in China who search for '4 June' on search engines have the results censored. If a user attempts to access an English language version of the Google search engine in China, they are redirected to the Chinese version where the results of '4 June' are not related to the massacre.[144] The Chinese-language versions of Wikipedia and YouTube are not censored, however, access to these websites are blocked in China.[138][144] Presently, many Chinese citizens are reluctant to speak about the protests due to the possibility of repercussions such as jail time.[145] However, some individuals do publicly speak out such as Ding Zilin, and organizations like Tiananmen Mothers. In 2007, several Chengdu Wanbao newspaper staff were fired after failing to recognize an advertisement that had paid tribute to the mothers of victims of the massacre.[144] The clerk that was in charge of approving advertisements allegedly did not recognize the meaning of the advertisement because she was too young.[146]
Leading up to and during the 20th anniversary of the massacre on 4 June 2009, the CPC increased security around the square. Members of the Public Security Bureau and the Peoples Armed Police were present during the 20th anniversary at the square in uniform along with several hundred plain clothes officers.[147] Tourists were allowed into the square during the anniversary but were subject to having their bags searched. Journalists however, were denied entry into the square.[147] Journalists were prevented from reporting on protest related issues through the media and internet. Journalists who attempted to film at the square or interview dissidents were briefly detained.[148] They were also barred from filming the raising of the Chinese flag.[149] Also leading up to the 20th anniversary the CPC began to censor internet websites and social networking services such as Twitter, Flickr and Hotmail.[139][150] It has also been reported that issues of The Financial Times and The Economist containing articles about the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre had the pages ripped out.[139] Staff at a Chinese TV station were suspended from their jobs because they allowed footage of the Tank Man and a Hong Kong candlelight vigil for the 20th anniversary of the protests be broadcast in the mainland.[151] Hong Kong is the only Chinese territory where people are permitted to demonstrate about the massacre.[150]
Dissidents in Beijing were told to leave the city or were forced to stay inside their homes.[150] Others were temporarily relocated to other areas of the country.[148][150] They were told not to speak to media, write articles, give interviews or organize demonstrations about the anniversary and have been closely monitored by authorities.[140] Foreign journalists are also monitored in order to prevent contact with dissidents.[144] Dissidents who fled the country after 1989 were denied entry into Hong Kong and Macau for the 20th anniversary.[149][150][152][153]
Over the years some Chinese citizens have called for a reassessment of the protests and compensation from the government to victims families. One group in particular, Tiananmen Mothers, seeks compensation, vindication for victims and the right to receive donations from within the mainland and abroad.[141] Zhang Shijun, a former soldier who was involved in the military crackdown, had published an open letter to President Hu Jintao seeking to have the government reevaluate its position on the protests. He was subsequently arrested and taken from his home.[154]