Beijing blocks the publication of the Li Peng diaries on Tiananmen
Hong Kong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The publication of the diaries of Li Peng, the "butcher of Tiananmen", has been blocked over copyright issues with “moral implications. " This is confirmed by the founder of the publishing house New Century Press Bao Pu - son of the prominent dissident Bao Tong - who decided to stop printing the book "after receiving several messages from some personalities", whom, however he does not want to name.
Meanwhile the elder son of Li - Chinese Premier during street riots of 1989 - was promoted to vice governor of Shanxi province, vital to the country's energy needs. Li Xiaolin, 51, is the eldest son of the "butcher" one of the "princes" of the new China - the spoiled children of former Communist leaders. He has also been appointed deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. His appointment increases the family prestige within the central government.
According to some analysts, Beijing’s consideration of Li Peng - who is now 81 years and is in good health - is at the basis of non-publication of the diaries. The editor, however, told AsiaNews that publication was halted due to copyright issues: the daughter of Li, in charge of negotiations, has probably raised economic demands to surrender publication rights.
However, a photocopied version of the memoirs, entitled "The critical moment" and subtitled "The diaries of Li Peng”, has been posted on the internet by an unknown source around June 4,the 21st anniversary of the square massacre. The text, downloadable, is accessible to users in mainland China. The print publication of the text, edited by New Century Press, was scheduled for June 22.
In the text Li Peng says he is "ready to die to prevent demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, a movement comparable to the Cultural Revolution" and adds he "never had the authority to deploy troops, a prerogative that rests in the hands of the president Deng Xiaoping".
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07/06/2010
