In a country where public dissent is heavily monitored and controlled, the one-year anniversary of the protests against Covid restrictions in China brings mixed emotions for participants. While the demonstrations played a role in ending some of the restrictions, they ultimately failed to bring about lasting political change. Many participants now fear that the protests will be forgotten due to state censorship [deed2eb0].
The protests, which took place in response to China's harsh 'zero Covid' policy and growing authoritarianism under President Xi Jinping, briefly challenged the authority of the Communist Party. However, the government swiftly cracked down on the protests, arresting participants and tightening control over Covid-19 measures. The total number of protesters detained last year remains unknown, and some participants continue to face harassment and detention as a result of their involvement [98c4477f].
Despite the risks, the protests did raise awareness of the political power held by the Chinese people. They demonstrated that even in a heavily controlled society, individuals can come together to voice their grievances and demand change. The anniversary of the protests was not marked by large-scale demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai, where security measures are particularly tight, but commemorative events were held in cities with large Chinese communities overseas [deed2eb0].
However, there is a sense of ambivalence among participants when reflecting on the protests. Some feel a sense of civic awareness and the need to protect their rights, while others are hesitant to publicly commemorate the protests. Security concerns and a general unwillingness to revisit memories of the pandemic contribute to this ambivalence. State censorship also plays a role in suppressing public discussion and remembrance of the protests [deed2eb0][af8df649].
Despite the mixed emotions and challenges faced by participants, the protests have had a lasting impact. They have sparked small-scale acts of subversion and have fostered a sense of solidarity among participants. While the protests may not have achieved their intended political change, they have shown that even in the face of repression, the desire for freedom and justice persists [af8df649].
Three new books explore suppressed histories in modern China, from the Cultural Revolution to the Covid pandemic. The Chinese government attempts to control history and construct an unbroken myth of the Chinese nation. The books delve into the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution, the resistance against the state's monopoly on history, and the Covid pandemic. They raise fundamental questions about life, its meaning, and responsibilities. Monuments and history serve different purposes in China, with Tiananmen Square being a monument to Mao Zedong. The Cultural Revolution is not entirely taboo to discuss in China, but the blurred lines between what is forbidden and permissible are deliberate. The books highlight the experiences of individuals who lived through the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath. They also explore the shrinking space for remembrance and resistance in China today. The Covid pandemic has further complicated the debate on public discourse in China, with independent voices seen as a threat to the official narrative. Despite efforts to control the narrative, the Chinese state eventually lost control, and the truth about Covid casualties began to emerge. The books emphasize the importance of uncovering the past and reclaiming power through the excavation of hidden bones and the roots of injustice [2b6bee5f].
In addition to the ongoing efforts to challenge official narratives, a recent event titled 'Memory as Resistance: From Tiananmen to Hong Kong' will take place on February 14, 2024, at the Asian Institute in Toronto. The talk will discuss the preservation of historical memory tabooed by the CCP regime and the contest between state-imposed interpretations of history and independent scholarship on China's forbidden past. The speaker, Rowena He, is a China specialist and historian of modern Chinese society and politics. Dr. He's research has been supported by various institutions, and she has received teaching awards for her courses on Tiananmen. Dr. He was denied a work visa to return to her position as an Associate Professor of History at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in October 2023. She was born and raised in China and received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto [6d9fb455].
This event highlights the use of memory as a form of resistance in China, particularly in relation to the Tiananmen Square protests and the ongoing struggle for democracy in Hong Kong. It underscores the importance of preserving historical memory and challenging the official narratives imposed by the Chinese Communist Party. The event also sheds light on the experiences of scholars and researchers who face obstacles and censorship in their pursuit of independent scholarship on China's history. By bringing together experts and academics, the event aims to foster dialogue and promote a deeper understanding of the complexities of memory and resistance in China [6d9fb455].