Demonstrations in China sparked by tough anti-Covid policies explode the "myth" of a "harmonious society" and reveal deep discontent with Beijing's rulers, a leader of the Tiananmen Square protests said on Thursday.

Wang Dan, who was jailed and then exiled after the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy movement was crushed, told reporters in Japan that the string of protests also proved that younger Chinese are not politically apathetic.

"In the past 30 years there's a myth that the younger generation or middle class were really satisfied about the government, but these protests show us the truth," he said, speaking in Tokyo.

"So this is a big significance of this movement, it reveals the truth. The truth is that it's not a harmonious society... there's already a lot of conflict between society and the government."

Wang said he believed the unrest would continue, and could signal a new "protest era."

Anger over China's zero-Covid policy -- which involves mass lockdowns, constant testing and quarantines even for people who are not infected -- has sparked protests in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

But demonstrators have also demanded wider political reforms, with some even calling for President Xi Jinping to stand down.

"The first feeling that came to my mind when I witnessed the incredible protests across China was the spirit of 1989 has come again, after 33 years," Wang said.

"Watching videos of Chinese university students chanting 'give me liberty or give me death' has brought me tears and hopes," he said.

Wang was a 20-year-old student during the Tiananmen movement, which ended with the government setting tanks and troops on peaceful protesters.

He was placed on the government's most wanted list and was imprisoned before going into exile in the United States.

But he described those protesting today as "more brave" than his generation because in the late 1980s the political climate was less severe.

"This time it's quite different. The environment is very bad," he said, calling the protests a "heavy blow" to Xi's reputation, weeks into his historic third term.

"That's why I think maybe, maybe eventually he will decide to crack down because he cannot afford to lose face."

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

China mourns former leader Jiang as funeral preparations begin
Shanghai (AFP) Dec 1, 2022
Mobile apps and state media websites turned black-and-white, flags on some government buildings in Beijing were at half-mast, and flowers were laid as China on Thursday mourned the death of former leader Jiang Zemin. State media said Jiang had died of leukaemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai on Wednesday at the age of 96 after all medical treatments failed, and that funeral preparations had begun. Floral tributes were laid in Jiang's hometown of Yangzhou and nearby Shanghai, where police ... read more