Asia-Pacific

Tiananmen Square: China minister says 1989 crackdown justified

Wei Fenghe says it was the ‘correct’ decision, citing the country’s ‘stability’ since then

A file image from June 5th, 1989 of an anti-government protester standing in front of tanks in Tiananmen Square. The military suppression pro-democracy protests claimed hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives. Photograph: AP

Sun Jun 2 2019 - 10:29

Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe said on Sunday the bloody crackdown on protesters around Beijing's Tiananmen Square 30 years ago was the "correct" decision, citing the country's "stability" since then.

Responding to a question at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore after a hardline speech about China and international security cooperation, he called the protests political "turbulence."

It is rare for Chinese government officials to acknowledge the events of June 4th, 1989; references to it are heavily censored in China.

"Everybody is concerned about Tiananmen after 30 years," Mr Wei said on Sunday.

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“Throughout the 30 years, China under the Communist Party has undergone many changes - do you think the government was wrong with the handling of June Fourth?

“There was a conclusion to that incident. The government was decisive in stopping the turbulence.”

He said China’s development since 1989 showed that the government’s actions were justified.

A file image from June 2nd, 1989 showing anti-government protesters near the emains of over 20 armoured personnel carriers burnt out during clashes with soldiers near Tiananmen Square. Photograph: AFP

The Tiananmen protests were “political turmoil that the central government needed to quell, which was the correct policy,” he said. “Due to this, China has enjoyed stability, and if you visit China you can understand that part of history.”

Tuesday marks the 30th anniversary of the protests, in which Chinese troops opened fire to end the student-led unrest. Rights groups and witnesses say hundreds or even thousands may have been killed. China has never provided a final death toll.

His comments echoed those of defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian, who last week decried the use of the word "suppression" to describe the military's response to the 1989 protests.

China at the time blamed the protests on counter-revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the party.

The event will not be officially commemorated by the ruling Communist Party or government. - Reuters

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