Taiwan Urges China to Acknowledge Tiananmen Tragedy

The day after the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, Taiwan’s president made a public plea for China to confront its past. He asked Beijing to admit the truth, ease the pain of those affected and open a path for dialogue. The message was shared on his social media page, where he warned against blind faith in militarism and called for a society that supports the next generation without using violence or surveillance. In China, the June 4 event remains a taboo topic. The government does not officially mark the anniversary and discourages public discussion of the massacre that ended a wave of student protests. In contrast, overseas celebrations—especially in Taipei—often feature speeches that criticize Beijing’s treatment of Taiwan and its refusal to address the incident.

Taiwan’s call has drawn a sharp response from China, which labels the president as a separatist and rejects his offers for talks. Beijing insists that only Taiwanese people can decide their future, a stance that has led to strained diplomatic ties. The Taiwan Affairs Office did not comment on the president’s remarks. The United States has also weighed in. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that censorship cannot erase the memory of those who lost their lives or were silenced. His statement echoes a long‑standing U. S. practice of commemorating the anniversary, which has drawn ire from Beijing in the past. China’s foreign ministry again did not respond to his comments. While Hong Kong once hosted large candlelight vigils, the 2020 national security law has stifled public remembrance. Yet the anniversary is still observed in several cities around the world, including Germany and Australia, where vigils continue to honor those who fought for free expression.

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