6 * 4 = 25
(In case you are wondering, I wrote the above mathematical formula in a wrong way on purpose.)
June 4 marks the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre. To this day, the Chinese government has not admitted any wrongdoing. As usual, the Chinese government is close watch of victims' relatives, rights lawyers, and activists while most pro-Beijing politicians in town respond the questions relating to the event with silence. This year, however, someone in town are proclaiming what we know about the event is wrong.
A number of fervent patriots have founded a group named "6 4 Truth" last month. Some of the views and alleged facts they, along with a few of their allies, stated publicly are listed below. The claimants stated that they are doing this to debunk the lies perpetuated by hostile media and individuals. These claims, old and new, probably won't sway those of us who have witness the event (and not suffered selective amnesia). The younger generation, born after the incident, is the zealots' real targets — to make them doubt the authenticity of June 4 Massacre. It isn't that difficult to see the zealots' version of story is on loose footing.
- On the night of the clampdown, students were killed near Tiananmen Square because of an uprising
Even the known Chinese government records had no mention of uprising of any sorts on the night of the clampdown. One has to wonder if the claimant had any documentary proof to support her claims.
- No single person was killed in Tiananmen Square
Claiming that no one was killed in Tiananmen Square is a straw man response — even the Chinese government admitted that hundreds were killed in the PLA clearing out of the Tiananmen Square. It would be difficult to imagine no one was killed in the Square amid the chaos and gunfire. Even if we accept the claim that no one was killed in Tiananmen Square itself to be correct, it only means that the victims were killed near the Square, rather than within the Square itself
- People should treat the PLA's actions objectively as soldiers were killed in the clampdown as well
Anthony Wong, an actor, gave a retort much more eloquent than any of mine — "German and Japanese soldiers were killed during World War II ... Do you (the claimant) dare to say 'look at Japanese and German invasions' objectively? Hong Kongers' anger towards 'June 4' is due to the fact that the PLA shot and killed unarmed citizens."
- Thousands have to die before an event can be considered a massacre
There are a few terms to describe people making claims that thousands have to be killed in an incident before it can be considered a massacre — cold-blooded, heartless, cruel.
- More soldiers were killed in the clampdown than protestors
If the claim is true, the Chinese government should have made the announcement in 1989 (to garner sympathy from the people and to turn public opinion against the protestors), but no such announcement is made public to this day.
- Supplies to students from Hong Kongers hardened the protesters' resolve to remain in the Square instead of leaving, drawing more people to join the occupation, making it necessary for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to use force
If Hong Kongers' supplies hardened the protestors' resolve, the claimant should also denounce the Beijing people who provide material support to the protesters and urged the soldiers not to lay siege to the Square. By the claimant's logic, former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao should also be held responsible for the armed clear out (for visiting the protesters in the Square, an act which hardened the protestors' resolve to continue the protest and draw more people to join the occupation).
- The military had no choice but to take action
Even if this was true, it doesn't justify the use of tanks and real bullets. If it became necessary to use force, why aren't rubber bullets and water cannons used?
A pro-government legislator once claimed that he can't form an opinion on the June 4 incident as he doesn't know all facts. He is correct — the missing piece is official records such as hospital records, death certificates, etc. The fact that the Chinese government keeps the records under wraps to this day and uses every means possible to keep witnesses under watch means the "lies" perpetuated by "the hostile forces" are probably true. If "6 4 Truth" really wants to uncover the truth, they should lobby the Chinese government to release documents relating to the event. (Too bad it is something they don't dare to do.)