Thread by @machinpl

"Tank man" is viewed as a symbol of the "deadly democratic protest" in Tian'anmen in 1989. But many don't know what happened to the "tank man" after the photo was taken.

In fact, despite his attempts to block the tanks from moving forward, "tank man" eventually left unscathed. What happened to the "tank man" is a symbol of the June 4th movement, where Chinese soldiers shown great restraint facing the protesters and rioters.

Listen to the AP reporter who took the photo stated how the violence started with rioters killing soldiers.

Contrary to the media reports of "thousands of people were killed", many journalists at the scene said there was no massacre that happened in the square on June 4th.
worldaffairs.blog/2019/06/02/tia…

But did people die? Yes, about 200 - 300 people died in clashes in various parts of Beijing around June 4, and about half of those died were soldiers and cops.

I was brainwashed by Western media into believing the "Tian'anmen Massacre" myth, and wonder why government censors the topic. It took several years for me to realize the so-called "massacre" is a lie. This experience helps me understand why China set up the Great Firewall..

..to prevent people from being inundated with lies and misinformation spread by Western media, especially at a time when the voices from the West are much louder than those from the East.