China, the
dragon country and the fiercest Asian giant which recorded enviable growth
rates till last year would credit its growth trajectory to the historical
uproar of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
June 4th marks the 25th year of the event. But the
present generation Chinese who were born post 1989 are unaware of the origins
of the 4th Chinese revolution,
as history reckons and the drastic change it could trigger in the dragon land. Government
has prohibited discussions, other memoirs and remembrance events of the 1989 movement.
Due to lack of information and mention of the event in any of the historical
texts newer generation are oblivious to modern revolutionary movement of their
own land. Till date there is no clarity
about the extent of carnage and the death toll. The Chinese government views it
as a counter revolutionary riot and has severely condemned it. In May 1989 University student led the
movement and held the Tiananmen Square under siege for seven weeks. This was
followed by massive hunger strikes that galvanised people around the country
and huge demonstrations were carried out in 400 cities.
The protests
were triggered by death of Communist Party general secretary Hu Yaobang in
April 1989 who voiced his concerns about the prevailing high inflation, limited
career prospects and corruption. He aspired for greater political and economic
reforms. Inspired by his clarion call for the country, University students,
gathered at the Tiananmen Square to mourn his death. They intensified the
stance on reforms and their demands included government accountability, freedom
of press and freedom of speech, democracy and restoration of labour’s control
over industry. Soon the protests gained momentum and around million people
assembled at the Square. President Deng Xiaoping realising the gravity of the
situation resolved to crush the protests with iron hand. He imposed martial law
and soon 3 lakh military troops were mobilised into action to crackdown the
movement on June 3-4th. This was followed by wide spread arrests of students
and protestors, expulsion of foreign journalists. Chinese government controlled
the coverage of local media and brought the situation under control. Even the
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) marched onto Beijing roads with huge tanks to
dispel the protestors. International community largely condemned the use of
force against protestors and several countries imposed various economic
sanctions on embargoes. It is only in 1992 that political initiation began on
reforms.
This massive
revolutionary movement eventuated in economic liberalisation, relaxation of
controls on media immediately. With opening up of economy western countries soon
flocked to the new market and turned a blind to the subtler forms of government
censoring and social policing which exists in the country till today. Chinese
still have limited internet access to market related information or stocks or
other sensitive issues. As Chinese markets began attracting massive FDI’s
market flourished as a result other issues of governance received lesser
attention. People are now having better life styles. As a final ode to its
growth story, China successfully hosted the summer Olympics of 2008 in Beijing.
The extravagance of the event and the superb infrastructure and engineering
brilliance of the stadiums has left people spell bound. This mega sports event boasted
of phenomenal economic prosperity of the country, thus exemplifying the rapid
progress it has accomplished.
China, the
Asian Giant is now the second largest economy after the U.S. Owing to its
stunning performance over the period of two decades it has evolved as a
triumphant country. Its unparalleled mastery in infrastructure development and
its potential as a manufacturing hub has catapulted the nation as the most
prospective trade partner by the African countries. Augured by its economic
supremacy, China is now exuding hues of belligerence towards other countries in
its vicinity threatening the security of this region.
But ever
since its economy began experiencing growth pangs from the past two years, when
growth rate slumped to 7.5% as against consistent rate of 10% over past two
decades new set of problems popped in. Economic deceleration hit job creation
and young university graduates are unable to find a job. Income gap is widening
at an alarming rate. With the result
social equality and the iron bowl (pensions and other government benefits)
provided by state can no longer be availed. The balloon of the real estate,
which accounts to 16% of GDP is at the verge of bursting. Any major economic
collapse of the system is going to hard hit the Chinese youth accustomed to
better life style. Protests are already brewing up in the form of
self-immolations by the Tibetans and frequent attacks by Muslim Uighurs in the
north-west provinces. The revolutionary spasms that propelled the 1989 are
relevant even today. The issues of corruption, disclosure of assets by the
leaders, democracy, transparency, accountability are still unresolved. Though
government has clamped censorship on internet, people are uniting on various
issues not for over throwing the government but for improvement of the present
situation and to rise above accumulation of wealth. Now the wealthier class are
slowly decamping for foreign lands for a better quality of living. Since inadvertent
growth has severely polluted air, soil and water and people are stressed out by
higher levels of competition that exist in every tier. Even though younger
generation are still allured by huge purses they are not apolitical, but
wielding more power to shape their futures.
Post Tiananmen
Square massacre, China revelled in economic glory and government pretends that
nothing has happened 25 years back. China has almost hit the pinnacle of success
but the issues which propelled the public anger of spring 1989 are still
unanswered. It has kept its ideological integrity in
tact and took over the world and proved its mettle. China, a Communist country
to core set a new trend and scripted history.
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