33 years since Tiananmen massacre
Tomorrow marks the 33rdanniversary of the Tiananmen massacre. For decades Hong Kong was the only place on Chinese soil where the deadly 1989 crackdown on students demanding democratic reforms could be openly discussed. However since June 2020 Beijing’s new restrictions outlawing acts aimed at “overthrowing or undermining China’s one-party rule” all demonstrations are forbidden. That means Victoria Park where June 4thvigils were held for 30 years will be closed from 11:30PM local time until the following morning. Afraid of legal reprisals, after 24 years the two-ton “Pillar of Shame” sculpture honoring the Tiananmen Square’s Goddess of Democracy has been removed from the University of Hong Kong. All reminders of what Beijing calls “the June 4thincident” have been erased – in books and on the Internet. The Chinese Ministry has refused to apologize to the families of victims of the massacre.
For the moment, my novel Rabbit in the Moon has not been banned in the USA. The backdrop of this international thriller is probably the most tumultuous seven weeks in recent Chinese history- from the start of the short-lived Student Democracy Movement in April of 1989 to its fall on June 4thin Tiananmen Square.