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For Tiananmen Square 25th Anniversary: Hear Courageous 1989 Report By Radio Beijing's "Radio Tankman"

Publisher's perspective by Bill Pearl


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(June 1, 2014) -- LongBeachReport.com recalls below the action of a courageous Chinese radio journalist which aired June 3, 1989 at 9 p.m. PDT [June 4 noon Beijing time.] In our opinion, this man is the audio counterpart to the visually iconic Tiananmen Square "Tankman."

Like many Americans, this writer spent much of June 3, 1989 watching CNN's coverage of what took place at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. In the wake of what occurred, I wondered what Radio Beijing would say in its English language shortwave radio broadcast beamed nightly to North America.

I hooked up an old shortwave radio to a wire antenna strung across the living room in my then-girlfriend's (now-spouse's) apartment. That night, I heard what you can now hear on-demand below. Because shortwave radio signals bounce off the ionosphere on sometimes differing paths, there's fading and phase distortion, so the text is also transcribed below.

As you hear this man's voice, try to imagine what it must have been like for him as he entered the Chinese government's broadcast center that day. The capital was under martial law. Tanks were in the streets. Armed troops were visible.

Think of what must have gone through his mind as he wrote out the script, entered the studio, sat down down behind a microphone, watched a clock tick-off the seconds to the top of the hour...and disregarding his own safety spoke the words you can hear below:

To launch audio, click here

This is Radio Beijing. Please remember June the third, 1989. The most tragic event happened in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Thousands of people, most of them innocent civilians, were killed by fully armed soldiers when they forced their way into the city. Among the killed are our colleagues at Radio Beijing.

The soldiers were riding on armored vehicles and used machine guns against thousands of local residents and students who tried to block their way. When the army convoys made a breakthrough, soldiers continued to spray their bullets indiscriminately at crowds in the street.

Eyewitnesses say some armored vehicles even crushed footsoldiers who hesitated in front of the resisting civilians.

Radio Beijing [sic] English Department deeply mourns those [sic] died in the tragic incident and appeals to all its listeners to join our protest for the gross violation of human rights and the most barbarous suppression of the people.

Because of this abnormal situation here in Beijing, there is no other news we could bring you. We sincerely ask for your understanding and thank you for joining us at this most tragic moment.

Like the Tiananmen "Tankman," this man's identity and fate remain uncertain. We've seen conflicting accounts over the years as to who he is and what happened to him.

It remains for journalists worldwide to find out who he is and at minimum seek the opportunity to speak with him...and to honor him. We want to learn what happened to him and on whose orders.

If you're reading this online, you can pass it on to others with a mouse click. We hope this radio reporter is alive. Perhaps one day we may be able to shake his hand. At the very least, we can recall what he did and honor him for his courageous action.

For an overview of how the Beijing regime is handling the Tiananmen Sqaure anniversary, see below:




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