Demanding an official accounting of the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the US today asked China to take steps to improve the human rights condition of its people, in particular ethnic and religious minorities including Tibetans.
"Twenty six years after the Chinese government's violent suppression of peaceful protests in and around Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, the United States continues to call for an official accounting of the victims of these events, the release of those still serving Tiananmen-related sentences, and an end to the harassment and detention of those who wish to peacefully commemorate the anniversary," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
While China has achieved social and economic progress since 1989, the US remains concerned that human rights abuses continue, he said.
"We are closely monitoring developments with respect to pending legislation in China relating to national security, counterterrorism, and the regulation of NGOs that appears to call into question China's commitment to increased openness and could, if enacted in current form, result in rights abuses," Kirby said.
Hundreds - by some estimates over a thousand - died after the ruling Communist party sent tanks to crush demonstrations in the square at the heart of Beijing, where student-led protesters had staged a peaceful seven-week sit-in to demand democratic reforms in 1989.
"On this twenty-sixth anniversary, the US urges the Chinese government to uphold its international commitments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to end the harassment, detention, and other mistreatment of individuals who peacefully seek justice and fairness, to practice their religion, or to express their views," he said.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said today the world remembers Chinese freedom fighters massacred while advocating for the rights, dignity and respect that all people deserve.
Pelosi said the Chinese children who learned about the massacre through whispers deserve better than a censored history.
"They deserve the truth. That's why the international community must continue to encourage the Chinese government to openly acknowledge the events of June 4th in classrooms and communities throughout the country," she said.
"Whether in Tiananmen Square or in Tibet, the US Congress must continue to confront human rights abuses wherever they occur," Pelosi said.
Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio said that despite the fact that China's rulers revealed the true nature of their regime that day, too many of US political and business elite have been content with the status quo in China, especially with regard to basic human rights and liberties, which China has long repressed.
"In fact, US policy has aimed at engaging with the Chinese Communist Party, surrendering American influence and principles," Rubio said.
