In June 4, 1989, the world witnessed a bloody suppression at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which shattered the dreams of countless young student activists pursuing freedom and pushed Chinese society into a long period of political repression and censorship.
Tens of thousands of students and citizens gathered at Tiananmen Square that year, calling for political reform, anti-corruption measures, and the rights to freedom of speech and democracy. Their demands were reasonable, aiming to see a more transparent, fair, and free China. However, the Chinese Communist Party responded to these peaceful requests with force, deploying the military and opening fire, resulting in the shocking “June Fourth Incident”.
The CCP has always emphasized its leadership position and the so-called “superiority of socialism”. However, in reality, this superiority often manifests as the deprivation of individual freedoms and control over public opinion. From internet censorship to media control, from widespread surveillance technologies to the persecution of dissidents, the CCP suppresses people’s voices comprehensively, concealing the true face of society. Two years ago, I myself was beaten, threatened, and detained by the Chinese authorities for criticizing the CCP’s actions on my social media account, which further reinforced my determination to escape China and pursue democracy and freedom.
Without freedom, there can be no talk of freedom for the people of China. The absence of freedom not only damages individual dignity but also hinders societal progress. A society without freedom cannot stimulate innovation and creativity, leading to a loss of competitiveness for the nation and making it challenging to improve the happiness and quality of life for its people. The suppression of the June Fourth Incident is not just an insult to the courageous protesters but a contempt for all Chinese people’s pursuit of freedom and democracy.
As we commemorate June Fourth, it is not just to honor the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters but to continually remind the world that freedom is an inalienable right. No government has the authority to suppress the people’s demands for freedom. The CCP must recognize that only by respecting freedom can it earn the trust and support of the people, and only then can true progress be achieved in society.
We urge and demand that the CCP faces history, stops blocking and covering up the June Fourth Incident, respects the basic rights of every Chinese citizen, and grants the people the freedom and dignity they deserve. Only under the sunlight of freedom can China truly prosper and move towards a brighter future.
Remarks on the evening of June 4, 2024.