Date: June 3, 2019
MAC Press Release No. 54
On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered troops to roll military tanks into streets in Beijing and aim machine guns at the people, bloodily massacring students and laborers, who advocated for reform, democracy and peace, as well as innocent citizens. As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Incident, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a three-point statement on the CCP' response to the incident.
1. Beijing has covered up the facts, lied, and made up excuses to the world. Over the past 30 years, Beijing has lacked the courage to honestly reflect on the historical significance of the Tiananmen Square Incident. Instead, it has blocked access to relevant information, distorted and defiled the truth of the Tiananmen Square Incident to conceal and gloss over its wrongdoings. Despite having brutally massacred its people 30 years ago, the CCP and the People's Liberation Army have the audacity to openly justify their actions, calling it the "right decision." This has evoked a universal uproar and exposed the Mainland authorities' repeated claims that "Chinese do not fight Chinese" are nothing but lies. Beijing should face its historical mistakes, promptly apologize in good faith, and redress the wrongs of the Tiananmen Square Incident so the victims of the day may rest in peace.
2. The CCP's centralized authoritarian control has failed to respond to the people's desire for freedom and democracy. Under the CCP's one-party dictatorship, the leaders have seized power, suppressed dissent, and used state apparatuses to monitor its people, restrict individual freedom and rights, and violently suppress protests against its rule. The CCP's anti-democratic and non-peaceful behavior highlights the lack of supervision as well as checks and balances in the party's governance. It also reflects the CCP's fear of democracy and human rights. The CCP is unable to respond to the people's concerns about and expectations for basic human rights. We believe the Mainland authorities must give up their hegemonic mentality, promptly conduct political and democratic reform, as well as allow citizen empowerment. This is the only way to resolve the deep divide in society and create a positive momentum for institutional transformation and reform.
3. Taiwan will continue to lead the way for the democratization of mainland China. Taiwan is an internationally acclaimed model of democracy to the Chinese world. Despite the CCP's perennial united front work to divide, infiltrate, and obstruct Taiwan in various forms, persistent military intimidation and diplomatic suppression of Taiwan, and infringement of Taiwanese people's rights, Taiwan has never and will not yielded an inch. We not only will defend the nation's sovereignty and democratic institutions, but also, in the process of cross-Strait exchanges, continue to exert the influence of democratic values and support democratic reforms in mainland China by all means. We hope that individuals with lofty ideals in Taiwan and around the world can continue to uphold and remember the history and spirit of the Tiananmen Square Incident. One day, the dawn of democracy will come. The government also reiterates that it will never accept the Mainland authorities' improper trial and imprisonment of Mr. Li Ming-Chen, a fellow citizen of Taiwan. Beijing should immediately release Mr. Li and allow him to return safely to Taiwan.