Tiananmen crackdown justified, says China

“There are some books and other documents in this regard which tell the true situation of what happened at that time,” he said.

China has never released the death toll from the Army assault on the square, but most estimates, including figures compiled from hospitals at the time put the toll at around 800.

“At that time, western countries, including the US, imposed so-called sanctions against China. This itself was erroneous and did not produce any results,” Tangsaid.

“The Chinese people and government have pursued a policy of reform and opening up and have made very remarkable achievements. Under these circumstances, the governments of many countries have adjusted and changed their policies and approaches to China,” he added.

US sanctions imposed after the Tiananmen Square massacre included a ban on arms sales and military exchanges, withdrawing support for China in international financial institutions and suspending export permits for satellites.

Only sanctions on arms sales, satellites and bans on US Trade and Development Agency (TDA) assistance and on contracts with the Overseas Private Investment Corp ( OPIC) remain in effect.

“The so-called sanctions imposed by the US after 1989 are of no practical significance anymore, but proceeding from the larger interests of further improvement and growth in Sino-US relations, I believe the US government should take appropriate measures to lift all the sanctions imposed on China,” Tang said.

Meanwhile, Chinastood firm on holding the official welcoming ceremony for US President Bill Clinton in Tiananmen Square, dismissing links to the 1989 crackdown there on pro-democracy demonstrators.

“Holding the welcoming ceremony for visiting guests of state at the east entrance to the Great Hall of the People has been the protocol of China for many years. It is entirely normal,” said Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

“If the Chinese side were not to hold a welcoming ceremony on the east entrance to the Great Hall of the People in honour of President Clinton, who is such an important guest of state of China, then that would be a very strange thing and show a lack of courtesy to our guest,” he told a media briefing.

Clinton has come under strong pressure in the United States to skip the official welcoming ceremony, which will take place at the western side of Tiananmen Square.

His critics warn that attending the ceremony will be seen as condoning Beijing’s actions in sending armed soldiers to clear away thedemonstrators from the square in 1989.

“I think it is highly unnecccesary to lump some other factors into this matter,” Tang said.