Former Hard-Line Beijing Mayor Calls Tiananmen Square Massacre ‘Regrettable’ -- Washington Post
BEIJING — Beijing’s mayor at the time of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has described the bloodshed as “regrettable” and “a tragedy that could have been prevented,” in a rare departure from the Chinese Communist party’s version of the crackdown.
Chen Xitong, now 81, was regarded as a hard-liner at the time of the Tiananmen student protests. His comments mark the first time a senior official associated with the decision to fire on protesters has expressed regret for the June 4, 1989, massacre.
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My Comment: When the massacre at Tiananmen Square occurred, I was working for a company that was playing host to a dozen Chinese diplomats/business leaders in Montreal These officials represented the elite from Fujian Province .... and when the massacre occurred I saw some of them get physically sick from what they were seeing on TV. But when they got back home .... they towed the Central Party line and condemned the students.
I know that the leadership in China has regrets .... that this is a stain that one day will need to revisited and discussed in China. When will that day happen .... I do not know .... but fortunately .... as in the case of this former Beijing mayor .... some are starting the conversation now.
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