Democracy In China Essay, Research Paper

During the 1980?s, China came under the rule of a new man. His name was Deng Xiaoping. China?s culture and views on trade were greatly influenced by Deng, yet he failed in establishing a democratic China. Contrary to many people?s beliefs, Deng did not create any democracy in China. The event that occurred at Tiennamen Square shows how much that Deng would rather give in to the people of China. June 5th, 1989 is a day that will live in infamy and shame for many Chinese. Many citizens of China gathered in Tiennamen Square to protest communism and promote the acceptance of democracy. The freedom found in democracy was a dream that many Chinese had because they lived in communism for all of their lives. Many of the teachers and students at the rally had actually experienced the wonders of democracy first hand on visits to America. The protestors were determined to get their point across to the government and the Chinese public that did not know that they could live in freedom. Along with a 30 foot statue dubbed the ?Goddess of Democracy?, the protestors brought along radios that played the speeches of their democratic heroes. The protestors held their meetings at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. Since the protestors refused to leave the squared, the government sent armed men and tanks to help with the negotiations. Just as 17 tanks lined up to get ready to execute the protestors, a man stepped in front of the line of tanks and refused to move. This courageous man?s name was believed to be Wang Weilin. As the tanks tried to move around Wang, he proceeded to step in from of them, stopping their ability to move forward and hurt the other protestors. Wang then did something that shocked everyone, especially the Chinese Government. He jumped up onto the lead tank and peeked inside and said something to the driver of the tank that made the driver stop trying to move ahead. This outraged the Chinese government so much that they had everyone in the square killed. This massacre proved that freedom should definitely not be taken for granted because people give up their lives so that their descendants can live without the worries of communism. Now, in Tiennamen Square, a large statue of Mao Tse Tung stands, and it is a very popular statue, not only because it represents China?s most influential leader, it shows that China is so ignorant as to wash away the blood at Tiennamen Square and try to cleanse it with a symbol of China?s lack of freedom.

A small step towards democracy has taken place in China?s lowest government. Village officials are now elected by the citizens of the village. Although the officials are elected, the candidates have to be chosen by the local communist party. This, in many ways, is just a false sense of freedom given by the government. Deng Xiaoping predicted that China?s highest form of government would not see free election for at least 50 years. But there is new action being taken by Jaing, China?s new leader. Jaing is currently working with the United States to bring China closer to democracy.

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