Former Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Zhao Ziyang died in a coma after a series of strokes on the morning of Jan.17, 2005, Beijing time. On Jan.18, 2005, Epoch Times reporter Xin Fei interviewed Mr.Wang Dan, a student leader during the June Fourth event of 1989.

Wang Dan was one of the major leaders of the “June Fouth” Tiananmen massacre in 1989, and has been imprisoned twice. After going into exile, he organized a group called “the Tiananmen generation”. He is now in charge of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of a Constitutional Government, and Beijing Spring magazine. He is also honorary director of Human Right in China (HRIC) and a member of the Chinese Independent Pen Society. Wang has studied at Harvard University and now lives in Taiwan.

Reporter: Mr. Zhao Ziyang opposed suppressing students during the ‘June Fourth’ (Tiananmen Square massacre) event. As a famous figure in that period, how did you feel when you heard the news of Mr.Zhao’s death? What’s your opinion about Mr. Zhao Ziyang?

Wang Dan: Upon hearing the news, like everyone else, I felt deep sorrow, and also sympathized very much (with the fact) that Mr.Zhao Ziyang lost freedom throughout his late years until he died. In a sense, Mr. Zhao Ziyang and we, the group of 89 students bear the same fate, all because of the matter of ‘June Fourth’, therefore my impression is very deep.

Actually the entire 1980’s was the time when Zhao Ziyang was in charge, from being the premier of State Council to the general secretary. The foundation of the entire Chinese economy was also established in the 80’s. Therefore, without Zhao Ziyang, there would also not be today’s economic development in China. This point must be especially emphasized.

Reporter: What do you think the difference is between Mr. Zhao Ziyang and other CCP (Chinese Communist Party) leaders?

Wang Dan: One point which was very different was the he was able to keep his own standpoint. Of all previous generations of CCP leaders, there were also ones who regained their conscience, but finally they often didn’t take action similar to break away, like Zhao Ziyang did.

After he was put under house arrest, actually he still had the opportunity to restore his public life, but he was required to make self-criticisms. Zhao Ziyang refused all of this. This kind of moral courage is rarely seen from other communist party leaders.

Reporter: On May 19 in 1989, Mr. Zhao Ziyang went to the (Tiananmen) Square to see the students, were you there at that time?”

Wang Dan: I was not at that spot.

Reporter: What influence did you think Mr. Zhao Ziyang’s action had on the students?

Wang Dan: At that time our major feeling was inspiration. After hearing Zhao Ziyang came to the square to see the students, we all felt very shocked, because at that time Zhao Ziyang was still the general secretary of the CCP. The general secretary came in person, representing that there was still a wise faction inside the party. Everybody felt very encouraged.

Reporter: Why do you think the communist party suppressed the students and put Mr. Zhao Ziyang under house arrest for a long time? Why did one of the CCP’s leaders receive such treatment?

Wang Dan: The Chinese Communist Party has already turned into one interest group. Their most central consideration is if their interests can be safeguarded. If the ‘June Forth’ (movement) was rehabilitated and China realized democratization, then of course nobody could still obtain their interests using power. This is against the communist party’s objective, its real innermost pursuit. Its innermost goal is power, money—these things—opposed to democracy. Therefore it opposes everything related to democracy. Things like giving ‘June Forth’ rehabilitation and reevaluation for Zhao Ziyang are all right steps toward democratic direction, but they are also all what the communist party absolutely cannot accept.

Reporter: What reaction do you think the folk will have to the death of Mr. Zhao Ziyang?

Wang Dan: The memorial activities among the people will appear, but at present there is no atmosphere for large scale protests in society.

Reporter: What do you think about the essence and the future of the communist party?

Wang Dan: If the communist party cannot do some serious introspection of itself and undertake true reform, then its fate will be miserable. There were so many communist parties in the world. Not a single one has had a good fate. The Chinese Communist Party should draw from this lesson. Unfortunately, looking from now on, they will probably repeat the fate of other communist party countries. This is not the way. Probably because it is the communist party it will have such a fate.

Reporter: What effect do you think the phenomenon of people denouncing the party at the present stage will have?

Wang Dan: Denouncing the party will most likely form a certain climate, and only then can it shake the communist party. If more strength is gained, especially from people inside China resigning from the party, and things develop in this way, it can pose a threat to the communist party.”