FINANCIAL TIMES: Beijing’s mayor at the time of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has described the bloodshed as “regrettable” and “a tragedy that could have been prevented”, in a rare departure from the Chinese Communist party’s version of the crackdown.
Chen Xitong, now 81, was regarded as a hardliner at the time of the Tiananmen student protests. It is the first time a senior official associated with the decision to fire on protesters has expressed regret for the June 4, 1989 massacre.
“Several hundred people died on that day,” Mr Chen is quoted as saying in a book to be published on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the massacre. “As the mayor, I felt sorry. I hoped we could have solved the case peacefully. Looking back, I consider [the events of June 4] a tragedy that could have been prevented, should have been prevented but was not prevented.” … (more)
