The Intelligence from The Economist Thirty years of forgetting: Tiananmen
Jun 4, 2019
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Tiananmen Square, the discussion unveils the Chinese government's efforts to erase the tragedy from history while exploring the public's lingering awareness. Journalists share harrowing accounts of chaos and brutality from that day, emphasizing the impact of state propaganda. The podcast also contrasts historical and modern surveillance techniques in China, highlighting how technology now suppresses dissent more effectively. Additionally, it addresses the complexities of immigrant language acquisition and the pitfalls of punitive laws.
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Journalists' Experiences at Tiananmen
- Simon Long and James Miles recount their experiences covering Tiananmen Square for the BBC.
- Long describes the shift from triumph to panic as the army approached, while Miles details the violence witnessed from the Beijing Hotel balcony.
Exploiting Uncertainty
- Initial uncertainty about events within Tiananmen Square itself was exploited by the Communist Party.
- This confusion fueled propaganda efforts to discredit Western media reports of a "Tiananmen massacre."
Lingering Memories
- While Tiananmen is largely forgotten in China due to government censorship, those who experienced it still remember vividly.
- James Miles notes that private conversations often turn to Tiananmen when people realize he was there.