June 4th, 1989-Modern Crucifix of China
Chen Kuide
History is not a calendar.
In a calendar, all the dates are treated without discrimination. But history has its partiality, usually for certain specific dates. Leafing through history, we see dates in capital letters - in which undulating human destinies, hymns for life and requiems for death, are focused and thus acquire their weight. How dull and pale history would be without Confucius' birth in 551 B.C., without Jesus Christ's birth on December 25, 0 A.D., without June 15, 1215, the day the English king was forced to affix his royal seal to the Magna Charter, without October 12, 1492, when Columbus found the New Continent, without July 4, 1776, when American Independence was declared, without July 14, 1789, when Bastille was captured by French revolutionaries, without October 10, 1911, when the Wuchang Uprising broke out in China, without May 4, 1919, when the May 4th Movement started in China! It is because of those dates that the human race illuminates, history and civilization are worthy of themselves!
June 4, 1989 is a date in capital letters, immortal in history - for China , for the whole world.
Theatrically condensed within the temporal space of those dozens of days were the hundred years of our nation's simple appeals and destiny. That was a path¨¦tique stage of history. Within seconds, a hundred years of joys and sorrows, glories and dreams of our nation exploded from the shouts at Tiananmen Square and the gun bursts of June 4th. In the wake of the Tiananmen Square events of June 4, 1989 , a succession of the most monumental changes in the twentieth century took place: the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the disintegration of the Soviet and East European Camp, the downfall of communism, the end of the East-West Cold War at the frontlines. Judged from this broader historical view, June 4, 1989 has become a detour sign for world history.
After June 4, 1989 , as far as the market orientation of the Chinese economy is concerned, the butchers of June 4, 1989 were forced to carry out the will of Tiananmen Square martyrs.
This notwithstanding, politically, a historical ruling of June 4, 1989, facing an insurmountable block, is not yet on the horizon. This is why China has a difficult time merging with the international community. It is haunted by its monopoly on political power, corruption and diplomatic dilemmas. These are the main obstacles to China 's resurrection.
Justice knows no substitute. China 's trouble will not end as long as injustices remain uncorrected.
Fif teen years have elapsed since June 4, 1989 . That bloody night has been embedded in our nation's memory. The babies born of that night on the Eternal Peace Avenue in the hail of bullets have grown into juveniles, tall and refined. But, all these Fif teen years, the butchers are still lingering unpunished in the halls of political power. All these Fif teen years the souls of victims are hovering over the Tiananmen Square , unable to rest in peace, their grievances still seething. We are bound to ask: "Does justice ever exist in this world?"
Justice is ever vigilant. 124 mothers, kin and representatives of the souls perished on June 4, 1989 , formed a " Tiananmen Mothers¡± Group. Iron-willed and unyielding, they fire demands at authorities: 1. Establish a June 4, 1989 investigation committee; 2. The National People's Congress must adopt a bill of compensation for June 4, 1989 victims; 3. Prosecute those responsible for the June 4, 1989 events in accordance with the law. This unyielding accusation evokes earthshaking shouts. As long as truth is not established and wrong unrighted, the same cries will rise every year. As long as mankind exists, requiem will keep sounding.
They are seeking justice not only for the perished souls, but for history as well. June 4, 1989 butchers: Do not attempt to wipe out blood stains with time. Remember - time cannot redeem your crime.
Recently Dr. Jiang Yanyong, who was the first to reveal the truth about the SARS situation in China, has written a letter to China's leaders urging them to admit the government made mistakes during the deadly night . He stand s up and speak s the truth publicly is to revere life and to revere justice. This signs to us that the judge day is not so far.
Look at the February 28, 1947 events in Taiwan . More than four decades have passed since then, but justice prevailed. Look at the Hungarian events and the Prague Spring: both went through the inferno of time and were finally crowned with laurels. Remember, before the June 4, 1989 events are redressed, you will be haunted by nightmares!
No political accomplishments can offset butchers' crimes. No blockade can wipe out stains of victims' crimson blood. On the day of Final Judgment, all culprits and their accomplices will be pilloried. A civilized, tolerant constitutional democratic system will be established, and China will be resurrected.
No blood is shed in vain. It is undeniable that judged from the long-term historical point of view June 4, 1989 has been embedded in our nation's memory, forming a spiritual legacy of our nation. As a symbol of the destiny of our much-suffered nation, it has been permanently carved not only in Chinese history, but in human history as well.
Since the moment the very first shot was fired on June 4, 1989 , China has ceased to be her former self. In a certain sense, June 4, 1989 has transfused a sacred sense of moral and religion into the decaying spirit of our nation.
People may ask: how can China 's tottering five-millennia-old civilization be redeemed in this materialistic modern world in which every penny is keenly contested? Our answer is: to ingrain China 's spirit with June 4, 1989 , to pay homage to the martyrs' spirits.
All Chinese must bear on their shoulders the crucifix of June 4, 1989 . Only when the crucifix, stained with the blood of June 4, 1989 martyrs, is hoisted over our land can China be redeemed. This is our last chance of redemption.
Last Updated: May 19, 2004 |
