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I WENT TO TIANANMEN SQUARE IN NOVEMBER, 2008. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I WAS 38 WHEN THE 1989 STUDENT UPRISING OCCURED THERE - SO I KNOW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT PLACE IN HISTORY. THE SQUARE ITSELF IS VERY BIG AND IMPRESSIVE. I ALSO NOTICED THERE WERE SECURITY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS EVERYWHERE- WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE SINCE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT ANY DEMONSTRATIONS COMMEMORATING THE 1989 EVENT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT REMEMBER THE UPRISING- IN 1989 CHINESE STUDENTS PROTESTED THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON HUMAN RIGHTS.THE GOVERNMENT SET TROOPS TO SUPPRESS THE DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE SQUARE. MANY PEOPLE WERE KILLED OR INJURED. ONE MAN- KNOW AS "THE TANK MAN" SYMBOLIZED THE REVOLT. THE FAMOUS PHOTO IS SHOWN ON TOP. HE REPEATEDLY BLOCKED AN ARMY TANK FROM MOVING FORWARD BY PUTTING HIMSELF IN THE TANK'S PATH. AFTER A WHILE ,THE TANK MAN DISAPPEARED INTO THE CROWD. HIS IDENTITY AND FATE REMAINS UNKNOWN TO THIS DAY. PEOPLE HAVE SPECULATED HE ESCAPED BACK INTO OBSCURITY, OR HE WAS CAUGHT AND EXECUTED BY THE POLICE. WHATEVER HIS FATE, THOSE WHO LOVE THE CAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OWE THIS MAN ETERNAL GRATITUDE. TIANANMEN SQUARE IS A PRIME TOURIST ATTRACTION. I HOPE IT'S SIGNIFICANCE IS FOREVER REMEMBERED BY PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE PEOPLE.
TO SEE THE "TANK MAN VIDEO",CLICK BELOW AND OPEN IN NEW WINDOW.
CLICK BELOW
SEE MORE ASIAN TRAVELS ON MY BLOG - http://rob-asia.blogspot.com/
