The Tiananmen Square massacre occurred on my 16th birthday. I remember watching the news during the days before and after June 4 and knowing that the events were momentous, but not having any sense of how things would eventually play out. The images that I remember most vividly are of young men biking around the Square and of the particular man who stood in the path of a tank while holding grocery bags.
There's a good article in today's Post (here) that summarizes the evolution of China from 1989 to today. The primary takeaway is that China's leadership -- beginning with Deng Xiaoping and continuing through to Xi Jinping, has granted the Chinese people increasing economic freedom while consistently cracking down on their political rights and freedom.
The result is that -- despite its tremendous economic growth -- China is probably more repressive now than it was in 1989. Suppression of religious minorities (especially Muslims) and censorship of the internet are two dramatic examples.
Incredibly, however, per capita income has increased from $311 (in 1989) to $8,826 (today).
625. Should the United States feel ashamed that we have not done more to encourage democracy and political freedom in China? Or, to take the opposing viewpoint, have we been wisely realistic not to get overly involved (while making the mistake of becoming overly involved in various Middle Eastern nations)?
626. Will democracy come to China in the next 30 years? Or are they locked into their current path of limited freedom and authoritarian leadership?
