News: China steps up security ahead of Tiananmen anniversary

(A lot of scholars point out that the dissident population in China has dissapeared and that since the economic boom, people are no longer interested in changing the government. It all seems a lot of work to prevent something no one wants to do right? I suppose the show of strength is to remind everyone that things haven’t changed, and don’t get any ideas to try. Hey lets be honest, if I was in Beijing right now, I would be pretending I was happy with the Status Quo. I saw the troops in 1990 in the square marching up and down like they are now. China, we haven’t gone far have we?)

China Passes New Restrictions to Prevent Demonstrations
By REUTERS

BEIJING, April 19 — Chinese authorities have introduced new rules to prevent demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in the run up to the 15th anniversary of the bloody June 4 crackdown on democracy protests there.

The regulations, passed by the municipal people’s government and due to take effect on Tuesday, legislate strict control of the square, the official Xinhua news agency said.

“Any activities affecting social order, public security and the environment in the Tiananmen area will be banned and penalised, according to the regulation,” it said.

The 1989 protests were one of the most serious ever challenges to the communist government since it came to power in 1949 and authorities are increasingly nervous of a repeat as the anniversary approaches.

Police and state security officials have already detained several activists and put scores under surveillance ahead of the anniversary of the crackdown when troops and tanks converged on the square, killing hundreds, possibly thousands.

Plainclothes police and uniformed guards are always quick to stop protests and remove petitioners.

This month, Beijing newspapers published a new city government notice warning that people carrying banners, chanting slogans, blocking public transport, immolating themselves or otherwise disrupting public order would be dealt with according to law.

Police would remove petitioners from Tiananmen Square and anyone carrying out unauthorised protests would be sent back to their home province to be re-educated.—-

ABC: China steps up security ahead of Tiananmen anniversary

Tuesday, 20 April , 2004 18:43:47
Reporter: John Taylor (ABC)

MARK COLVIN: China has today invoked special security measures around Tiananmen Square in Beijing in what the authorities say is a bid to maintain social order.

It comes two months ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, when the People’s Liberation Army killed hundreds, if not thousands, of unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators.

But even this far out from the anniversary, officials are appearing increasingly nervous about the possibility of public demonstrations.

China Correspondent John Taylor reports.

(audio of Chinese national anthem)

JOHN TAYLOR: To a blaring recording of China’s national anthem, a special unit from the People’s Armed Police this morning raised China’s flag over Tiananmen Square. The early timing, 5.30 am, didn’t stop thousands of Chinese from watching the ceremony.

Tiananmen Square lies in the heart of Beijing, and is the most sensitive political ground in all of China.

It was here that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic, that mass rallies were held during the Cultural Revolution, and where in 1989 the Chinese people mounted their most serious challenge to the rule of the Communist Party. It ended in what is now known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

(archival audio)

PETER CAVE: We have had a broadcast on the radio of an editorial in an army newspaper which spoke of the soldiers winning a great victory, crushing counter-revolutionary violence by criminals and thugs.

CHINESE COMMENTATOR: The most shameful thing in modern Chinese history. It’s the bloodiest massacre ever been executed before by any reactionary government in the past.

(audio of shouting)

(end archival audio)

JOHN TAYLOR: This year is the 15th anniversary of the killing of unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators that began on the night of June the 3rd.

Security around Tiananmen Square is always tight. Members of the People’s Armed Police stand guard throughout its massive expanse. Plain clothed officers mingle amongst the crowds.

As of today, however, security has officially become tighter.

Chinese says state media says extra undisclosed emergency security measures have been invoked in and around the square. They are designed to maintain “sound, stable social order in the area” and enforce “rigid control so as to prepare for any emergency.”

China’s official news agency says “any activities affecting social order, public security and the environment in the Tiananmen area will be banned and penalized”.

The decision to step up security comes ahead of a weeklong holiday in May when hundreds of thousands of Chinese are expected to visit the square.

There are clear signs that Chinese officials are very worried about the prospect of public demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the crackdown.

Dissidents have reported being under closer than usual watch. Just last month, police detained the two top leaders of the group, the “Tiananmen Mothers”. It’s members all lost children during the brutal crackdown, and the group continually calls for the Government to reassess the massacre and take responsibility for its actions. The leaders were briefly detained, but they had recently produced two VCDs about their plight to send to the United Nation’s.

The ABC received a copy this morning.

(audio excerpt from “Tiananmen Mothers” VCD)

“The death toll remains unknown and innocent people keep suffering since then”, says the voiceover, to images of soldiers, tanks, protestors, and distraught relatives. The voiceover says the relatives of the dead want a proper investigation, but authorities have replied with interrogations, detentions, and threats of violence.

The words “Truth, Justice, Conscience” and the phrase “Refuse to Forget” are written on the disks.

China’s Communist leaders have always defended their role in the 1989 crackdown, and in a March press conference, Premier Wen Jiabao gave no indication that any official re-interpretation is near.

Mr Wen said the future of the Communist Party and China hung in the balance at that time, and he stressed the overriding importance of unity and stability, noting that in the years since China has made tremendous achievements in its reform and opening up, and socialist modernisation.

This is John Taylor in Beijing, for PM.