The dream of freedom lives on in Hong Kong despite efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its thugs to silence peaceful protest and public expression. The New York Times this morning reported on a march for democracy that drew thousands in Hong Kong yesterday. The Times article mentioned difficulties encountered by march organizers in obtaining permits and insurance for the march, and it noted that the march comes at a time when several talk show radio hosts have been threatened to such an extent that they left Hong Kong and have since refused public comment. Yesterday’s march and preparations for the annual June 4 commemoration of the Tiananmen Square massacre, come at a time when the Chinese Communist Party has illegally rewritten the Basic Law to end hopes of representative government in Hong Kong.
The Washington Post this morning reported on CCP dynamics that fuel intolerance for freedom. A struggle for power between former president, Jiang Zemin, and current President, Hu Jintao, has CCP members competing for the hardest line on Hong Kong and Taiwan. It is a sign of sick minds and bad times when being despotic is seen as proof of patriotism. The only thing that hard line positioning proves is that the CCP is out for itself and not for the Chinese people.
The people of China are prevented from discussing the truth about Tiananmen Square because doing so calls into question the legitimacy of a government that slaughtered its citizens for fear of losing power. This de-linking of the occurrence of an event and the ability of a people to discuss the event is the hallmark of tyranny. The butchers of Beijing seek to impose a similar de-linking in Hong Kong, and ultimately in Taiwan. They must not succeed- the fate of freedom is a common thread that binds all of the world's people. Remember Tiananmen Square! Never forget Tiananmen Square!
Posted by publius at May 31, 2004 03:58 PM