Professor releases 'Tiananmen Papers'; stirs Chinese response

The brutal Tiananmen Square massacre more than a decade ago — marked by the government beatings of Beijing students — lives on today as one of the most tragic episodes in recent history. The papers that document the Chinese governmental actions, secret until now, have come to light through the work of University Chinese professor Perry Link.

"The Tiananmen Papers," published in January, compiled classified details about governmental affairs during the massacre.

Link and several coeditors were presented with the material by a man using the pseudonym Zhang Liang. Zhang hoped that his manuscript would revive Tiananmen ideals for the political and economic reform of Red China. Link and his colleagues seized this rare opportunity to present aspects of the massacre never revealed before.

With this opportunity, however, also came risk. Link and his colleagues are not allowed to say when they first started their project. Their extremely dangerous task was performed in absolute secrecy.

Additionally, because of the high risk of punishment from the Chinese government for leaking confidential information, Zhang's identity and whereabouts must remain classified.

Link, concerned for Zhang's safety, said he hopes his efforts will not be in vain.

Already, the Chinese government has begun to thwart Zhang's efforts by censoring Chinese Internet and newspaper articles on "The Tiananmen Papers."

The government has also attempted to defend its reputation and authority by denying the authenticity of the manuscript.

"It makes the government look pretty bad," Link said. "No politician likes to be discredited. They are trying to preserve their power."

Link acknowledged that his translation has triggered some hostility and suspicion from China, but he said that "all of the evidence that has piled up leaves no question of authenticity."

"The fact that the president of China continues to make frequent comments about the book in public shows that the papers are not fake," Link said.

"After the publishing of the papers, the Chinese government even established new punishment guidelines for information revealed to foreigners," he said. "I don't think that's a coincidence."

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Link, who has been at the forefront of the study of Chinese human rights for many years, is "regarded as a voice for those elements in Chinese society that may need criticism or spokespeople in the West," East Asian Studies program director Martin Collcutt said.

In spite of grave obstacles, Link continues to pursue his passion —China. He is no longer allowed to visit the country, but he remains undaunted.

"I can't let that change the way I teach and write. It is my duty as a scholar to bring forth the truth, even if it means my banishment from China," Link said.

"The Tiananmen Papers" have been published only in English, but Link predicts the upcoming Chinese publication will create a storm of controversy in China.

"The Chinese publication will accelerate the spread of significant information," Link said.

In the meantime, Link is planning to help inform the public by arranging talks in Taiwan and Hong Kong, in addition to appearing on radio and television talk shows.

"I'm a workaholic," Link admits. "I enjoy my work and I don't mind it."

Though he cannot return to China, Link does not believe the country has rejected him. He remains devoted to his passion, one of many visionaries faithful to the Tiananmen legend.

The publication of "The Tiananmen Papers" is a continuation of the revolutionary ideology present during the 1989 massacre.

The mission for reform is still alive, Link said, and advances steadily on a winding course.