Posted on 06/10/2004 7:20:58 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Beijing Worried about Zhao Ziyang’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
Fifteen years after the Tiananmen Massacre, Chinese leaders are still apprehensive of Zhao Ziyang, former Communist Party General Secretary who opposed the military crackdown of students. While the Chinese leaders are trying to wipe out his name from history, Zhao is being nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize overseas. According to the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, which is headquartered in Hong Kong, Zhao has been nominated for the prize every year since 1999.
Political Firestorm Possible upon Zhao’s Death
According to VOA reporter Dong Fang, some overseas media have pointed out that the Chinese leadership “is not worried that Zhao is alive but is afraid of him dying” because of the political influence he still commands.
The English-language newspaper Taipei Times pointed out that the Chinese leaders’ fear of an octogenarian with deteriorating health who is under house arrest shows their lack of self-confidence. The leaders are worried that Zhao’s death will trigger a national political firestorm. The deaths of former premier Zhou Enlai and former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang both triggered large-scale political earthquakes that led to the downfall of the Gang of Four headed by Madame Mao and the Tiananmen Massacre, respectively.
Zhao Could Become Gravitational Center for Reformers
Reuters reported from Beijing that the Chinese leaders are worried that Zhao will become the gravitational center for reformers and that his death could lead to waves of protests by unemployed workers and peasants, who are facing increasing tax burdens and are angry with the increasing gap between the rich and the poor.
Reuters quoted Bao Tong, former top aide of Zhao Ziyang, that the Chinese leaders have been worried about his influence and are trying to wipe his name out from the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.
Zhao made his last public appearance on May 19, 1989 when he, accompanied by Wen Jiabao and others, visited students on Tiananmen Square. The following day, the Chinese government declared martial law and sent combat troops into Beijing. On June 3 and 4, the troops cracked down on the democracy movement, which was formed by students and other Beijing citizens, with tanks and machine guns, killing hundreds, possibly thousands, of civilians.
Bao Tong: Sounding an “Alarm for Rationality”
According to Reuters, Bao Tong, the highest-ranking Chinese official arrested and jailed in June of 1989, said in a statement distributed to Western media that Zhao Ziyang called for rationality among leaders during a time when they were driven by absolute power. Bao was released in 1996 and has been living in Beijing. An Agence France Presse report from Beijing said that Bao has been a thorn in the sides of the authorities. His home has been under close surveillance and his phone lines have been frequently tapped and cut.
Zhao Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Five Years in a Row
Zhao Ziyang has enjoyed a respectable reputation overseas as a symbol of Chinese reformers. According to a report by the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, Zhao has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Price for five consecutive years. The Center spokesperson, Frank Lu, said that Zhao stands a good chance of winning the award, as this year is the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre.
Lu said, “Since 1999, Zhao has been nominated every year and this year his winning the prize is quite possible. So far, no one related to China has ever won the Nobel Peace Prize. According to past statistics and experiences, the prize is often given to a historical figure in a historical juncture. This year is the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre and is the best opportunity. Zhao represents the reformist forces in China and has been sympathetic to democrats. I think he has a great chance of winning this year.”
Each year over 200 individuals or organizations are nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, whose winner is decided by a committee based in Norway. The winner of the $1.32 million prize is announced in the middle of October. Last year, the prize went to a female Iranian lawyer, Shirin Ebadi, who contributed greatly to the cause of protecting human rights and promoting democracy. Although some countries run by dictatorships attack the prize, arguing that the prize reflects democracy and freedom, which are merely Western values, their attacks cannot compete with the unique prestige and enormous influence the prize commands in the international community.
Ping!
Is he alive?
At one time, he was reported to be dead. However, he is apparently alive, but in badly deteriorating health.
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