The history of Tiananmen Square is a difficult thing to discuss. Everyone recognises the iconic images that have been seen internationally over the last quarter of a century but the reality is unfathomable for the vast majority.
With the anniversary looming every closer there are news reports of people "disappearing" and Amnesty International has reported around 50 people that have been detained or placed under house arrest in the weeks preceding the anniversary of this historic event. Any hint of threat or even without a hint people have been hidden away just in case.
When I ran the Great Wall of China half marathon a couple of weeks ago I visited Tiananmen Square as it was my first time in Beijing. The square was approximately a 20 minute walk from my hotel and despite my sore legs it was the only way to get there. No cabs can stop close to Tiananmen Square. No vehicle of any description can stop here. To enter Tiananmen Square itself you must go through the same security as if you were about to board a plane and the entire area is surrounded by railings. Despite the fact that it was the weekend it was strangely quiet and there were very few people despite the thousands spilling out of the walls of the Forbidden City. Walking on the ground where so much happened and so many lives were altered irreparably is indescribable. How will the world remember 4 June 2014?
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