[sgbuffett]

First of all ther is too much focus on word "massacre ". Means ehat 50 prople ot 5000 people died. Died by terror or in the confusion of uprising.

Nobody denied Tiananmen did happen, just that account of it is different.

But let's go back to the fundamentals. The aspiration if the people for rights and freedom.

Was it suppressed? I would say yes.
Is China an authoritarian surveillance state today? I would say yes.

While we can argue whether  more Liberal forms of democracy is suitable or unsuitable for China one cannot deny there was mass demand for change in China.

I am not a big fan of western style democracy. But I even less in favor of authoritarian forms of govt where there is one party or one man rule.

The concentration of power circumvent check and balance and rule of law. Such power is frequent abused and whole country is made to submit to the will of one person. Corruption because endemic due to weakened rule of law and power in hands of party officials who are in  numerous  positions of power.