2016 Joint Institution Declaration for the Tian’anmen Massacre

2016 Joint Institution Declaration for the Tian’anmen Massacre

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, written by CUHK SU, CHI SU, HKSUT SU, BUHK SU, HKSYU SU, OUHK SU, HSMC SU, HKAPA SU, THEi SU, CityU SU Temporary Administrative Committee, CIHE & CBCC SU
Original: http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1042566 

The Beijing student movement in 1989 lasted for 51 days and nights, in pursuit of openness, democracy and freedom. It started from 15 April, the night of commemorating Hu Yaobang, and ended with the bloodshed at Tian’anmen Square. The carnage by PLA has shown the ferocious side of the CCP regime, and has caused a perpetual scar on the course of Chinese history.

27 years have passed. On 4 June, Chinese people around the world will commemorate this tragedy. In Hong Kong, the candlelight in Victoria Park has been ignited year after year. But at this key moment when we face “the 2nd negotiation for Hong Kong's future”, we need more reflection. The tertiary education sector has unanimously decided not to attend the vigil in Victoria Park, as the organizer, HK Alliance, has a rigid form of assembly, promoted the identity as Chinese and the goal of “building a democratic China”. However, not attending the Victoria Park vigil does not mean the tertiary education sector has neglected the Tian’anmen Massacre. 11 tertiary institutions thus organize this forum to make things clear – that is to look at the impact and significance of the Massacre towards Hongkongers from a rational and local perspective.

On 28 September 2014, tear gas was released on Harcourt Road, Admiralty. Black banners with “Disperse with Fire” were upheld by the police. The impact of the Massacre shadowed Hong Kong again. The fear was eventually a false alarm, but lots of people compared two incidents. The rise of localism trend after the Umbrella Revolution has resulted in some voices, saying that Hongkongers should sever ties with the Massacre. For years, the Massacre hovered Hong Kong: on one hand, it has formed the ideology and form of the democratic confrontation in Hong Kong; on the other hand, this is the fear of confrontation deep inside the minds of Hongkongers. Therefore, we cannot neglect the Massacre, but rather, we should know more about it. What is the relations between Hongkongers and “building a democratic China”? What is the shortcoming of traditional social movement in Hong Kong? Why did the tragedy in Tian’anmen not occurring in Hong Kong? We must face squarely to the Massacre from a local perspective.

Firstly, the dream of “building a democratic China” is as hard as a steel. The CCP is a tyrant who have absolute craze for the absolute authority. The CCP will annihilate all opposition powers at all costs, regardless of all sorts of criticisms, not to mention a carnage. Facing this ferocious regime, all Chinese have shown their staunch support to those martyrs and opposition powers, but there are fewer and fewer feedback. Generations of Hongkongers yearn for China, but the country has degraded to what it is now. The CCP regime has not changed its ferocity, yet the Chinese people has degenerated a lot. Look at what China has become now – the dream of “building a democratic China” cannot be achieved even with the aid of Hongkongers.

Secondly, CCP regime is definitely untrustworthy. Before 1989, the CCP said they will reform and open up; before the Massacre, Li Peng has a meeting with the student leaders. The twilight of a democratic China has ended in a dark night with bloodshed and carnage. Since then, we know that, promise is but a way to hide CCP’s ulterior motives on a negotiation table. We must remember that the CCP is not a modern democratic regime, with benefits and themselves in their minds and souls. No matter what kind of future Hong Kong will be after, Hongkongers should never trust a word from the CCP, not to mention any sorts of “collaboration” with the CCP. That is but silly.

The enlightenment of the Massacre is not confined to these two points. Therefore we organize this forum this year to look back on the Massacer’s significance, and look forward to Hong Kong’s future. We hope Hongkongers can really learn a lesson from history, look at our predicament today and prepare for the confrontation in the future. THE TYRANNY WILL DIE, GOD BLESS HONG KONG.