The death of Zhao Ziyang, the former Chinese leader held under house arrest for almost 16 years, has put the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a dilemma. Fearful of triggering political unrest, the CCP initially permitted only a short report by Xinhua News Agency. There was no word about Zhao’s death in the TV news on January 17, and major Internet sites in China only posted brief messages.

The handling of Zhao’s death indicates that the CCP is hoping that anything related to his death or to his legacy will be quietly and quickly forgotten. Victims of the June 4th Tiananmen Square Massacre were immediately put under surveillance or held in police custody. Anyone wishing to pay tribute to Zhao Ziyang must get official approval. Authorities are closely monitoring many human rights advocates and dissidents to prevent them from holding memorial activities for Zhao. When mourners delivered flowers to the Chinese Consulate in New York to express their condolence, Consulate officials rejected the flowers and immediately closed the gate.

However, with international pressure as well as expressions of condolence, the CCP appeared to see that suppressing all public recognition of Zhao would be foolish and could possibly lead to unrest, so they chose to ease their tight control. On January 19, the CCP agreed to hold commemorative activities for Zhao, but forbid a memorial service and prohibited foreign media from attending the funeral. As for the CCP’s position on Zhao, it is believed that the CCP will continue to maintain that he “made a serious mistake” in his handling of the June 4th event in 1989.

This does not come as a surprise. Only the CCP is capable of such an injustice– illegally depriving the freedom of a General Secretary who opposed firing on his own people. Even after Zhao’s death, the CCP continues to criticize Zhao for “supporting unrest” and “dividing the party.” All this is for the sake of the CCP’s own interests.

While claiming to follow “the rule of law” and “base on people,” the CCP sticks to its unjust policies and stubbornly refuses to soften its position. Such deceit and tyranny are the very nature of the CCP. At the critical point on June 4, 1989, Zhao Ziyang put aside his personal interests and resolutely went to stand by the people’s side. He would rather be imprisoned for life than retract his position in order to gain the Party’s favor. He has won the people’s hearts and respect. The CCP’s handling of Zhao’s death clearly reveals the Party’s despotic nature. With its true nature exposed once again, the Chinese people will awaken and be inspired to bid farewell to the CCP.

According to media reports, the CCP has set up a special team led by President Hu Jintao and the Politburo’s Standing Committee member Luo Gan, in case emergency situations emerge from activities commemorating Zhao Ziyang. Judging from the CCP’s efforts to control the situation, including restricting media coverage, memorial activities, and a state funeral, we can see how fearful and weak the CCP is. The CCP’s actions in response to Zhao’s death are in stark contrast to the heartfelt response of the Chinese populace. The imminent end of the CCP can no longer be avoided. There should be no illusions about the CCP reforming itself.