Secretary of State Marco Rubio boldly declares the Chinese Communist Party “cannot erase” the human principles of freedom and democracy, as he commemorates the 36th anniversary of the brutal Tiananmen Square massacre that China still refuses to acknowledge.
Key Takeaways
- Secretary Rubio forcefully condemned the CCP’s brutal 1989 crackdown that killed thousands of unarmed pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square
- Despite China’s ongoing censorship efforts, Rubio emphasized that “the world will never forget” the massacre that remains taboo in China
- The Secretary honored the courage of protesters who demanded democracy, human rights, and an end to corruption
- Rubio highlighted that freedom and self-rule are universal human principles, not merely American values
- The statement comes amid escalating tensions between the US and China over trade disputes and human rights concerns
A Defiant Stand Against Communist Censorship
In a powerful rebuke to Beijing’s ongoing attempts to erase history, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has commemorated the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre with uncompromising condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party’s actions. His statements, released ahead of the June 4th anniversary, honor the thousands of unarmed civilians brutally killed by Chinese military forces during the 1989 pro-democracy protests. The CCP has never released an official death toll and continues to forbid any public discussion or commemoration of the events within China, demonstrating the regime’s ongoing fear of its own citizens learning the truth.
“The CCP actively tries to censor the facts, but the world will never forget,” said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State.
Rubio’s commemoration highlighted the nationwide character of the 1989 protests, which saw hundreds of thousands of Chinese citizens across the country advocating for democratic reforms, basic human rights, and an end to systemic corruption. The movement represented an unprecedented challenge to communist rule and exposed the deep desire for freedom that exists despite decades of authoritarian oppression. Secretary Rubio’s willingness to speak plainly about these events stands in stark contrast to the Chinese government’s continued attempts to suppress all mention of the massacre domestically and pressure other nations to remain silent about this dark chapter in CCP history.
Honoring the Fallen and Imprisoned
Secretary Rubio paid special tribute to those who lost their lives and were imprisoned for simply demanding basic freedoms that Americans often take for granted. The brutal military response to peaceful student protesters shocked the world in 1989, with tanks rolling into the square and soldiers firing indiscriminately into crowds. Estimates suggest thousands were killed, though the precise number remains unknown due to the CCP’s information blackout. Many more were imprisoned, with some activists still serving sentences or living in exile decades later. The Chinese embassy in Washington notably declined to respond to requests for comment about Rubio’s statements.
“Today we commemorate the bravery of the Chinese people who were killed as they tried to exercise their fundamental freedoms,” said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State.
Universal Human Principles Under Assault
In his statement, Secretary Rubio made a crucial point that directly challenges the CCP’s narrative about Western values being incompatible with Chinese culture. “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 declared. This framing directly counters Beijing’s frequent assertions that Western-style democracy is inappropriate for China and that human rights are merely a tool of Western imperialism, rather than universal values desired by people everywhere.
“We remember the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal crackdown 36 years ago in Tiananmen Square and commemorate the courage of the innocent people killed and imprisoned that day. Freedom, democracy, and self-rule are human principles the CCP cannot erase,” said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State.
Rubio’s commemoration comes at a particularly tense moment in US-China relations, with ongoing trade disputes and tariffs imposed by both countries. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss these issues, particularly regarding critical minerals, in upcoming talks. The Secretary’s willingness to directly confront the CCP about its human rights abuses signals the administration’s continued commitment to challenging China not just on economic issues but on its fundamental violations of human dignity and freedom. Despite the passage of 36 years, the legacy of Tiananmen Square remains a powerful symbol of resistance to communist tyranny.
