The Tiananmen Papers
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | January 2001 |
| Founder | Zhang Liang (alias) |
| Products | Compilation of Chinese government documents on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre |
| Website | www |
The Tiananmen Papers made its English debut in January 2001 through PublicAffairs, followed by a more comprehensive Chinese edition titled 中國六四真相 (June Fourth: The True Story) published by Mirror Books in Hong Kong in April of the same year. This volume assembles a selection of confidential Chinese government documents concerning the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. These materials were supplied by a Chinese source operating under the alias Zhang Liang to maintain anonymity. The English version was translated and edited by Andrew J. Nathan, Perry Link, and Orville Schell, who have expressed complete confidence in the compiler’s credibility. Nevertheless, questions about the documents’ authenticity remain, as the editors worked with reformatted copies rather than original physical records.
Contents
The Tiananmen Papers offers a chronological presentation of official government files accompanied by editorial commentary, covering the period from April through late June 1989. The narrative exposes internal divisions within the Chinese Communist Party during the protests. The reformist camp, headed by General Secretary Zhao Ziyang, advocated a more conciliatory approach toward the predominantly patriotic student demonstrators. Conversely, Premier Li Peng stood for the conservative hardliners, alerting paramount leader Deng Xiaoping to what he described as "turmoil" and "networking" activities within the protests. Despite some hesitation, Deng—who held ultimate authority within the Party—made decisive moves siding with the conservatives: he removed Zhao from power, installed Jiang Zemin as General Secretary, imposed martial law, and authorized military intervention to clear Tiananmen Square.
Controversy
Debates surrounding The Tiananmen Papers primarily focus on the authenticity of its documents and potential bias in their selection.
Confirming the legitimacy of these materials is complicated by restricted access to original sources. Sinologist Lowell Dittmer described the task of verifying authenticity as "frustratingly difficult." Critic Alfred L. Chan from Huron University College contended that parts of the book are fictionalized and derived from "open and semi-open" sources, casting doubt on both its reliability and claims of secrecy. In response, editor Andrew Nathan defends the documents’ genuineness and exclusivity.
Absolute verification would require cross-examination against original records, which remains unattainable without disclosure from sources or transparency from Chinese authorities.
Nathan acknowledges that selection bias may be present: "The materials... have gone through a series of processes, each bringing the final product further from the raw material." While this does not undermine their authenticity outright, it suggests possible influence from the compiler’s political perspective.
Reviewer Fang Lizhi criticized the book for concentrating more on internal party power dynamics than on the student movement itself. According to the editors, this emphasis reflects the compiler’s objective to "prompt a reassessment of events in 1989 and encourage political reform in China."
Chinese response
The Chinese authorities condemned The Tiananmen Papers as fabricated, prohibiting the distribution of both the Chinese and English versions within mainland China. Due to his association with the publication, editor Andrew Nathan has been denied entry into China.
References
External links
- The Tiananmen Papers (official publisher site)
- June Fourth: The True Story (中國「六四」真相) (publisher's official page)
- "Release of `Tiananmen Papers' Could Stimulate Chinese Reform," CNN, January 7, 2001.
- "Chinese Government Declares Tiananmen Papers Counterfeit," CNN, January 9, 2001.
- "Confidential Document Reveals China's 'Division' over Tiananmen," CNN, April 22, 2001.
- Interview with "Zhang Liang": "Compiler of 'The Tiananmen Papers' Discusses His Role," CNN, June 3, 2001.
- Orville Schell, "A Review of the Tiananmen Papers," TIME, January 15, 2001.