Former PLA officer Li Xiaoming, who witnessed the Tiananmen Square June 4th Incident 36 years ago, recently spoke out, emphasizing the importance for Taiwanese people to understand the events of June 4th and the authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party, as well as the threat it poses to Taiwan’s democratic system. He believes that by internationalizing the Taiwan issue, Taiwan’s security can be ensured.
In a recent interview with the Central News Agency, Li Xiaoming discussed the June 4th Incident and Taiwan. He mentioned that he was with the 116th Division at the time and was likely one of the first to carry out the clearance mission at Tiananmen Square. The commander of the 116th Division, Xu Feng, dressed in plainclothes, took some staff members to survey the area near Tiananmen Square on the evening of June 3, 1989.
Li Xiaoming witnessed that gunfire had already begun, and he saw injured civilians. Xu Feng, possibly moved by his conscience, ordered them not to enter and instead lingered outside the square, engaging in passive resistance.
According to Li Xiaoming, Taiwan is a democratic country, but many people are apathetic towards politics. He stressed the importance for Taiwanese people to be aware of or understand the June 4th Incident because it concerns the fate and future of the Taiwanese people. Taiwanese individuals need to recognize the authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party and the threat it poses to Taiwan’s democratic system. This threat is not just verbal intimidation; it has escalated to military intimidation.
He believes that only by internationalizing the “Taiwan issue” can Taiwan’s security be guaranteed.