Tiananmen Square: twenty years later

Editorial Desk
The Nation (Thailand)
Publication Date: 04-06-2009

Tiananmen Square has not changed much except the presence of plain-clothed and uniformed security officials mingling with pedestrians and tourists. The huge digital clock, which used to be its landmark before the Olympics last year, has gone. But the impact of what happened today 20 years ago has brought unfathomable changes inside China. The Tiananmen uprising was akin to a long march for China and its people, including party cadres, entrepreneurs, workers and students, towards modernisation and broad-based and multi-stakeholders' governance.

With more than 3,000 years of civilisation, the Chinese people are very proud of their country and the kind of future they would like to see. That helps explain why lots of times predictions about China can be off the mark. Deep down in their hearts, they never want to imitate the West. They want to develop and craft their own model with Chinese characteristics. Indeed, throughout the past two decades, China has proved critics all round the world wrong. After the Tiananmen Square crackdown, analysts predicted that the world's largest nation would shriek and seek isolation in a bid to ward off foreign influence amid fears that one-party communist rule would be weakened.

Instead, China has opted for a different path. Beijing continues to engage the world and open up its economy, as few expected the country would do. Look around at the results of China's development over the past two decades.

First of all, kudos must go to the hard-working and entrepreneurial Chinese people. What has transpired in China since modernisation was introduced is a direct result of the Chinese people's labours and endeavour. They have gone through hardship before. When there are opportunities they maximise their capacity to act. Economic progress and growth that China has enjoyed in recent decades stems from their hard work. While tens of millions have enjoyed greater living standards from the economic windfall derived from their sweat and tears, the global economic downturn has eroded such gains since late last year.

The growing middle-class and rural sectors have been affected. In the months ahead, how the Chinese people, especially those in rural areas who have benefited from the economic miracle, fare will determine the nature of politics inside China.

China's leaders must also be credited for implementing policies that they used to reject - that is, capitalism. It can't be denied that the capitalist system with Chinese characteristics has turned the Middle Kingdom into a major world power. With hundreds of millions of its citizens benefiting from economic growth, China is rising. But this rise won't mean anything if the country doesn't work to boost peace and stability in the world. Further, the rise of China also demands growing international responsibility - something that remains elusive. With greater confidence and a more forthcoming attitude, China has to become part of international efforts to resolve conflicts and strengthen peace - whether these issues are within the domain of its interest or not. Even though China has become very rich and powerful, the Chinese people want greater political freedom. The country has made a great leap of progress in non-political areas, but there has been no such progress in the political arena. In recent years, China's growing middle class and intellectuals have discussed what they want to see in the future for their political system. Some talk about more participation from all stakeholders, from the lowest levels right through to the top echelon of the political hierarchy. There has been much progress in allowing elected members of the community to take part in local decisions. But this needs to expand equally throughout the country. Many young Chinese with brilliant business minds have bloomed. They should be allowed into political circles, which are still dominated by the communist elite. By bringing in the fresh-thinking younger generation - people who have not been indoctrinated with the "old ways" - China would be well prepared to cope with globalisation in a more sustained and balanced way.

That would be the best answer for those crushed during the historic uprising two decades ago. Other countries in the region have gone through similar political experiences but with different outcomes. They have become more democratic and open. The only difference in the case of China is that the Chinese leadership remains intact, and the country's political space remains limited. This condition provides a unique opportunity for the current leaders to redeem themselves to ensure that their desire, to become one with the people, is achieved; ren min de zhongguo.