Tiananmen Square

On the eve of an extraordinary summit this week between President Obama and his new Chinese counterpart, we have occasion to remember the anniversary of an incident that calls to mind the true – and terrible – nature of the People’s Republic of China.

Twenty-four years ago, elements of the People’s Liberation Army massacred thousands of their countrymen and women in Tiananmen Square.  The violence was unleashed not only to suppress those peacefully demonstrating for greater freedom – complete with a handmade replica of the Statue of Liberty.

It also sent a message to everyone else in China that their communist overlords would never tolerate such changes.  Notwithstanding this week’s diplomatic niceties, the anniversary reminds us that a regime that treats its people so badly cannot be relied upon to behave well towards ours.