Shao Jiang was one of the students that led weeks of peaceful protest in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in the spring of 1989, demanding political reform, an end to Communist Party corruption and a government that was accountable to its people. The protests extended well beyond Beijing and it is estimated that 100 million people across China demonstrated their support for political reform.

On the night of June 4 1989 the protests were brought to a sudden and violent end when tanks forced their way into Tiananmen Square under the orders of China’s then leader, Deng Xiaoping. That demonstration of naked power and ruthless determination to suppress all opposition to the Chinese Communist Party’s complete monopoly of power wiped out all hope of reform for a generation.

Many of the student leaders of the protest fled into exile. Shao Jiang was not so lucky. He was caught at the border, attempting to cross into Macau. He was Imprisoned for 18 months before being released and escaping to the west.

In exile Shao Jiang has been just as outspoken on the subject of Tibet. On March 8 2009, he addressed 1,000 Tibet supporters at a rally in London, saying: "There are many Chinese who support the right to self determination of the Tibetan people. The determination and persistence of the Tibetan people over the years has inspired many Chinese to fight for their own freedom." He also took part in the following video message to Chinese President Hu Jintao during the G20 summit in London in 2009.

China’s economic slowdown presents political opportunity for change in Tibet

For two decades since Tiananmen Square the Chinese government has consolidated its political power-base by striking a powerful deal with its citizens. In return for the uninterrupted double-digit growth of the Chinese economy, which has created millions of new jobs and lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty, the government has demanded unquestioning loyalty to the one-party state from its citizens.

With the global economic slowdown putting the brakes on even the Chinese economy, this cosy consensus is coming to an end. Growth in China has slumped from the 11-12% rates seen throughout the 1990s and 2000s; in March the World Bank revised downwards its all-important forecast for growth in the Chinese economy for 2009 from 7.5% to 6.5%. In the heavily export-dependent Chinese economy, this significant slowing down of the economy is having profound effects across Chinese society: factories that employ millions of workers are having to lay those workers off as orders from abroad dry up. And the millions of graduates emerging this year from Chinese universities will find it all but impossible to find jobs.

Even during China’s seemingly endless boom years, somewhere in the region of 700-800 million Chinese were largely excluded from the expanding Chinese economy, prompting a rising tide of protest and social unrest from those marginalised from China’s economic miracle. To their number are now added millions more newly laid-off factory workers, middle-class managers and students unable to find work. It is a potent political brew that presents potentially catastrophic consequences for the survival of the Chinese Communist Party and its hold on power.

The government is clearly rattled: scores of Chinese economists and government officials are constantly reported in state media parroting the mantra that 8 per cent growth this year is likely, regardless of what the World Bank and other international financial institutions are forecasting. It is widely believed among the academic, financial and political Chinese elites that if growth rates are to fall below the magic figure of 8% for any period of time, an upsurge in political dissent, questioning the legitimacy of the one-party state, could become irresistible.

The downturn in the Chinese economy leaves the Chinese government more vulnerable politically than at any time for at least two decades. Free Tibet believes that this unprecendented vulnerability offers an opportunity for international governments and leaders to push China to demonstrably improve its human rights record in Tibet and across China. With China’s economy slowing down rapidly, the dynamics of global financial power are beginning to shift: China needs the world more than the world needs China.  China can no longer afford to issue threats of cutting off trade from governments that demand an improvement in China’s dire human rights record in Tibet.




The Dalai Lama's statement on the Tiananmen anniversary

On 4 June 2009, the Dalai Lama issued the following statement concerning the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre:

On occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square students' democracy movement, along with others who take an interest in Chinese affairs, I respectfully honour those who died expressing the popular demand for the government to be more accountable to its people.

The students involved in the Tiananmen Square movement were neither anti-communist nor anti-socialist. Their speaking out in defence of the Chinese people's constitutional rights, in favour of democracy, and taking a stand against corruption, truly conformed to the underlying beliefs of the Chinese Communist government. This was confidently stated by the then party chief Zhao Ziyang. Therefore, the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China presents a great opportunity to review the events of June 4, 1989.

Great changes have taken place in the People's Republic of China since 1989. Today, it is a global economic power poised to become a superpower. It is my hope that the Chinese leaders have the courage and far-sightedness to embrace more truly egalitarian principles and pursue a policy of greater accommodation and tolerance of diverse views. A policy of openness and realism can lead to greater trust and harmony within China and enhance its international standing as a truly great nation.

                                                                                                               -The Dalai Lama

Read more of Shao Jiang's story in this Guardian article
Read about government dissident Bao Tong's experiences in this Wall Street Journal article
Read the story of one of the mothers of a Tiananmen victim in this Epoch Times article

Around 150,000 commemorate the massacre in Hong Kong: Japan Today article
Hilary Clinton calls for Tiananmen 'healing': Guardian article
China begins internet 'blackout' ahead of Tiananmen anniversary: Phayul article
All references to Tiananmen massacre censored for 20 years: Reporters without Borders

Human rights Too few of the articles in the UN Declaration of Human Rights apply in Tibet where Tibetans are denied basic freedoms. Click here to read more Click here for the human rights section

Culture & society Free Tibet reproduces Prof. Robert Thurman's paper exploring the differences between Tibetan and Chinese civilisations. Click here to read more Click here for the culture section

Economy & environment China's Western Development Strategy aims to extract resources and cement control over Tibet. Click for resource extraction Click for travel section Click for economy/environment

Politics This section provides detailed information about political developments since the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Click for Dalai Lama section Click for historical relations   Click here for the politics section