The U.S. Department of State issued a statement on the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, commemorating the events that unfolded in Beijing in 1989. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the actions taken by students and ordinary citizens who gathered to advocate for democracy, human rights, and an end to corruption.
In 1989, tens of thousands gathered in Beijing's largest public square following the death of a Chinese Communist Party leader who had attempted to guide China towards openness and democracy. This gathering sparked a nationwide movement with hundreds of thousands participating across China. The demonstrations were met with a severe response from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which deployed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to suppress the pro-democracy protests violently.
"The CCP actively tries to censor the facts, but the world will never forget," said Rubio. He emphasized remembering those who lost their lives while exercising their fundamental freedoms and those still facing persecution as they seek justice for June 4, 1989. "Their courage in the face of certain danger reminds us that the principles of freedom, democracy, and self-rule are not just American principles. They are human principles the CCP cannot erase."
Rubio's statement underscores ongoing concerns about human rights and democratic freedoms in China while honoring those who have fought for these values.