Beijing Condemns U.S. Secretary of State Rubio’s Tiananmen Remarks as ‘Malicious Distortion’ and ‘Serious Interference’

Beijing, June 4, 2025 — On the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, tensions escalated between the United States and China following remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio honored the victims of the pro-democracy protests, stating that the world would “never forget” the events of June 4, 1989, and criticized the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to censor the incident.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry denounced Rubio’s comments as a “malicious distortion of historical facts” and accused the U.S. of “serious interference” in China’s internal affairs. Spokesperson Lin Jian announced that Beijing had lodged a formal complaint with Washington over the remarks.

The 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, led by students demanding democratic reforms, ended when Chinese troops and tanks forcibly cleared the square, resulting in a still-uncertain death toll estimated to be in the hundreds or thousands. The Chinese government has never released an official count and continues to suppress public discussion of the event.

Rubio’s statement emphasized the bravery of those who stood up for fundamental freedoms and condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to erase the event from history. He asserted that the ideals of freedom and democracy are universal and cannot be silenced.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te echoed Rubio’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of remembering the crackdown as a symbol of democratic values. In Taipei, a vigil was held featuring a replica of the “Pillar of Shame” sculpture, commemorating the victims of the massacre.

In mainland China, authorities maintained tight control to suppress public remembrance. Security was heightened in Beijing, with police presence at key locations, and online references to the event were swiftly censored. In Hong Kong, once known for its annual commemorations, authorities have banned related vigils amid a broader crackdown on dissent.

This diplomatic clash underscores the enduring sensitivity surrounding the Tiananmen Square protests and the broader tensions between China and Western nations over human rights and historical interpretation.

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