How to Respond to Tiananmen Trolls

On June 4th every year, the world comes together to mourn the Tiananmen Square Massacre, grieve the pro-democracy protesters who were killed, and condemn the totalitarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, a propaganda drive to whitewash the Tiananmen massacre also kicks in at the same time on social media and private messenger groups, to speak up for the CCP and to attack the students in the pro-democracy movement.

Doublethink Lab has collated messages intended to whitewash the CCP’s atrocities, and were able to categorize them into three groups, each with their own motives and narrative strategies.

Three methods to whitewash the massacre

Production: Ttcat | Text: Poyu Tseng, Yun-Ju Chen, Jiayu Wei | Translation: Roy Ngerng
Visual Design: Fang Lee | Photo credit

Evade

Individuals who use this method will disagree with what you say at every turn. If you raise questions, they will dodge your questions; and if you keep up with the questioning, they will question your logic. In other words, the idea is to beat around the bush and expend time and energy, so as to evade addressing the real question.

There are two tactics that are used: Zoom In, where the other party would take aim at minor issues so as to evade discussing the larger issue; and Zoom Out, where everything but the kitchen sink is thrown into the discussion, causing the discussion to lose focus.

Zoom In
Zoom Out

Narrative Strategy

Nitpicking

In this example, the other party posts a screenshot to show that it is possible to search about the Tiananmen Square Massacre on the Baidu search engine in China, as an attempt to prove that news relating to the Tiananmen Square Massacre is not blocked in China.

Based on the screenshot you showed, this search turned up the "Tiananmen Square disturbance" (六四風波) instead of the "Tiananmen Square Massacre". Doesn’t this demonstrate that the Chinese government is indeed downplaying the massacre?

If you were to engage the poster directly, this might instead turn into a debate over whether the screenshot was altered, which would distract from the real issue at hand: that even as the Tiananmen Square Massacre can be discussed behind the Chinese Great Firewall, it can only be done so on official government platforms and in a manner permitted by the government.

It is clear from the screenshot that the Tiananmen Square Massacre is being discussed as a "disturbance" instead of a "massacre" or "brutal suppression". The best method to counter this user is to respond with a reliable article or documentary of the massacre, in order to allow other people involved in the conversation to discern the facts for themselves.

A
Nitpicking

Under this tactic, the other party tries to pick apart the logic of our argument, even to the extent of picking on our word use. If we were to respond to each of their arguments, then we would have fallen into their trap. The way to handle this situation is to refocus the discussion.

Cherry picking

This particular poster showed a news clipping falsely claiming the death of student activist Wang Dan during the Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, as evidence that the Tiananmen Square Massacre is a hoax.

You assume the Tiananmen Square Massacre is a hoax simply from one article? Isn’t that a major leap of logic?

This is a slippery slope argument—just bringing out one false piece of news does not make the Tiananmen Square Massacre a hoax. We can apply the same slippery argument back on the other party, and use other examples to confront them of their illogic.

B
Cherry picking

Other than picking on logic and word use, another common tactic used by the other party is to zero in on one false report and use it to deny the complete existence of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Narrative Strategy

Whataboutism

This user wants to detract from the Tiananmen Square Massacre by pointing a finger at the repression and massacres conducted in the United States.

Even so, what about the Tiananmen Square Massacre? The United States government does not prevent you from discussing these events, but the Chinese government is suppressing such discussion in China.

In response to such tactics, we need to put the responsibility back onto the Chinese government. Being drawn into a discussion by the poster will stray from the main topic of discussion.

Even though there have been other examples of oppression and massacres in ancient China, discussion about the Tiananmen Square Massacre is something the Chinese government wants to suppress, which is why it is being commemorated on platforms not within the control of the CCP.

A
Whataboutism

"So-and-so has also committed atrocities, so why don’t you talk about them instead?" They hope that by turning the attention away from them, they can sidestep the issue.

Appeal to hypocrisy

This user accuses the United States of not being able to handle its own domestic affairs, and yet is involved in the affairs of another country.

"In a free and democratic society, anyone has the right to comment on issues, while mature and responsible governments are also able to withstand criticisms, just as you are able to criticize the United States government as you wish. And so, right now, I am asking if the CCP is willing to apologize to the victims of the Tiananmen Square Massacre and their families?

The appeal to hypocrisy is also a tactic used to divert attention from the real issue at hand. Democracies are an easy target since differences of opinions are allowed, and can be taken advantage of by opponents as weak points for attack.

A more appropriate response is to emphasize that people living in democracies have freedom of speech, and that everyone has the right to comment on issues. Then, bring the topic of discussion back to the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

B
Appeal to hypocrisy

"YOU have committed atrocities too, so YOU are not qualified to comment on this!" This stance suggests that one is not qualified to criticize the atrocities of the Tiananmen Square Massacre unless the person, their family, and their country have never committed a single wrongdoing in history.

Moralistic fallacy

This user alleges that Western countries like the United States criticize the Chinese government because white people consider themselves to be more superior than the "yellow race."

It is indeed important to pay attention to the issue of racial discrimination in support of human rights. However, the actions by the Chinese government during the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and its human rights abuses, run counter to your viewpoints. I am very glad to welcome you to join us in this struggle for freedom and democracy.

Such tactics can be difficult to respond to. The reality is that any dominant group, be it white, male, middle-class, heterosexual, etc., will feel discomfort when confronted with such claims, for fear of being labeled the oppressor, due in part to the awareness that oppression is usually conducted by dominant groups in society.

However, in such an instance, the people whitewashing the Tiananmen Square Massacre are not really concerned about human rights issues, and are using racial discourse to incite emotional responses, as a means to distract from the culpability of the Chinese government.

We therefore need to bring back to focus the issue at hand.

C
Moralistic fallacy

This tactic points to the racial and class tensions in other countries, invoking claims of double standards toward the CCP, or to claim that the CCP model of governance is thus superior.

Deny

This method focuses on denying the existence of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, or downplaying the brutality of the massacre. These actors resort to using conspiracy theories in order to create confusion and reduce the credibility of trusted news sources.

Accusation of confirmation bias

The other party might accuse others of being unfair against the CCP and biased toward Western media.

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Accuse of Confirmation bias

This user accuses Western media of not producing evidence about the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and that it is a Western conspiracy.

Since you have already bypassed the Great Firewall of China, you can Google for more information. Now that you mention it, I have never seen photos of the peaceful dissolution of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, either.

For people who believe in conspiracy theories, it is difficult to change their opinions if they already carry the preconceived notions that other people are being misled by nefarious organizations.

It would be difficult to persuade the other party in such an instance and the aim should be to share that there are other ways of looking at the issue than through the lens of conspiracy theories.

The methods to counter such tactics is to provide accurate information and to use the logic of the other party to question the source of information they share.

Appeal to false authority

The other party might claim to have other sources of information to backup their arguments.

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Appeal to false authority

This user claims that there are photos taken by Spanish news sources which can attest to the Tiananmen Square Massacre never occurring. It also claims that this information is confirmed by WikiLeaks.

Since you have already bypassed the Great Firewall of China, you can Google for more information. This news report is one of many, which shows photos of the evacuation, but this does not mean that photos taken by other media outlets of the massacre are fake.

For people who believe in conspiracy theories, it is difficult to change their opinions if they already carry the preconceived notions that other people are being misled by nefarious organizations.

It would be difficult to persuade the other party in such an instance and the aim should be to share that there are other ways of looking at the issue than through the lens of conspiracy theories.

The methods to counter such tactics is to provide accurate information and to use the logic of the other party to question the source of information they share.

False witness

The other party might claim that it was "ignorance" that led them to believe in the Tiananmen Square Massacre when younger, but that they have since changed their mind upon receiving more reliable information.

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False witness

This user claims to have received more information about the Tiananmen Square incident now that he is older, and apologizes to the People's Liberation Army for misunderstanding their role during the incident.

I will not question the veracity of your statement, but what I will ask is this - why should I believe what you say, and ignore news reports of the Tiananmen Square Massacre that have been reported by media outlets all over the world? What you say is your one-sided opinion.

For people who believe in conspiracy theories, it is difficult to change their opinions if they already carry the preconceived notions that other people are being misled by nefarious organizations.

It would be difficult to persuade the other party in such an instance and the aim should be to share that there are other ways of looking at the issue than through the lens of conspiracy theories.

The methods to counter such tactics is to provide accurate information and to use the logic of the other party to question the source of information they share.

Rationalize

There are a set of narratives which acknowledge that the Tiananmen Square Massacre did occur, but instead justify that the use of violence by the authorities during the massacre is reasonable, necessary or even praiseworthy. We identified three broad tactics that are adopted: siding with the oppressor, victim-blaming and utilitarianism.

Moral Licensing
Victim-blaming
Utilitarianism

Narrative Strategy

Siding with the the People's Liberation Army

This user talks about the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army who died during the Tiananmen Square incident, pointing to how it was the protestors and thugs that caused the situation to grow out of control.

Indeed, there are definitely military and police personnel who deserve our respect, and I pay tribute to them as well. In fact, it is the high-level government officials who should be held responsible for all the casualties resulting from the Tiananmen Square Massacre, for not being willing to face the masses, and then sending the troops in, resulting in further casualties.

In response to such narratives, we need to bring into the discussion the people in power who forced the people to take to the streets, and who ordered the military and police to suppress them. The responsibility for the casualties must be placed squarely on the people in power.`

If there is reliable data that can be found, they can also be provided to highlight the ratio of casualties between the military and police, and the masses.

A
Siding with the the People's Liberation Army

There is a narrative that emphasizes that the people who should be commemorated during the Tiananmen Square incident are the military and police personnel who died. This tactic pits the military and police against the masses, as a means to weaken the legitimacy of the resistance.

Siding with the authority

This user suggests that suppression was a necessary means during the time of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and that while civilians might find the actions cruel, that we would understand if we looked at it from the perspective of a ruler.

Taiwan has also undergone the arduous process of democratization, and has witnessed numerous large scale protests. Since martial law was lifted in 1987, the government no longer resorts to the use of bloody massacres, and yet, hasn’t Taiwan continued to survive to this day?

To counter such perspectives, we can use the example of Taiwan or other democratic countries to highlight that societies can continue to maintain peace and stability even as bloody massacres and violent suppression have not been used to quell mass protests. In fact, if the government responds and changes according to the will of the people, this could even lead to better outcomes.

B
Siding with the authority

This narrative emphasizes that the situation was so volatile at the time that the regime would have been subverted if the resistance was not suppressed by force. This narrative maintains that the Chinese government had no choice but to use its power for suppression.

Narrative Strategy

Puritanical bias

This user put up photos of bloodshed, arson and people who were killed, and accused the student activists as being the ones behind the violence.

How many people did those tanks and guns kill before they finally stopped? Even if there were heightened emotions at the protests, were there no other ways the military and police could have mediated the situation?

The military and police were armed with sophisticated weapons and equipment, and drove big tanks, while the protestors had only iron bars and wooden sticks to protect themselves, or were even defenseless. Even if emotions were heightened, who would have been able to create more injury?

Other than the violent suppression and massacre, are we saying there was no other way to soothe tempers?

A
Puritanical bias

This type of narrative asserts that protestors at the Tiananmen Square incident were violent therefore justifying the brutal suppression.

Unacceptable challenge to authority

This user pointed to the Tiananmen Square protests as occurring during a critical juncture of China’s reform and opening up, and that if the student protests were too radical, it would have resulted in the disintegration of power, and the efforts of Deng Xiaoping going to waste.

If you have seen the seven actual demands of the students at the Tiananmen Square protests, you would know that these demands are not at all radical, and are in fact consistent with the long-term reforms that China has been implementing. For example, Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign is actually a key plank of the student demands. Are we to say that the fight against corruption should be considered excessive?

Once we list out the seven student demands, we can see that the list is neither excessive nor radical. In fact, many of them are the reform measures currently being implemented in China.

  • Affirm Hu Yaobang's views on democracy and freedom as correct.
  • Admit that the campaigns against spiritual pollution and bourgeois liberalization had been wrong.
  • Publish information on the income of state leaders and their family members.
  • Allow privately run newspapers and stop press censorship.
  • Increase funding for education and raise intellectuals' pay.
  • End restrictions on demonstrations in Beijing.
  • Provide objective coverage of students in official media.

Source

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B
Unacceptable challenge to authority

This narrative derides the demands of the student demands during the Tiananmen Square protests as being excessive, resulting in the authorities having no choice but to violently suppress them.

Hostile attribution bias

This user claims that the Tiananmen Square protests were incited by Western forces to create chaos in China.

Everyone has the ability for independent thought, and is not so easily manipulated by others. The 1980s was considered a golden era in China, where there was greater openness, which allowed the Tiananmen Square protests to receive greater momentum.

First, we should emphasize the independent thinking ability of the masses, and then bring the focus of the discussion back to the demands of the student protests during the Tiananmen Square protests. We should also point to how the sociohistorical context at that time allowed the protests to blossom.

C
Hostile attribution bias

This narrative accuses the student activists of being instigated by Western influences, and that the student leaders were motivated by their own personal political ambitions. It depicts the student activists as being easily tricked by external forces, and lacking in their ability to think independently

Not a perfect victim

This user berated student activists Wu'erkaixi, Chai Ling and Wang Dan as living it up after the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and instead played at showing sympathy to the civilians and soldiers killed during the massacre.

Some of these protestors were tortured or forced into exile, and have had to live forever apart from their loved ones. While we are able to see the stories of a few student leaders who found some form of success, most of them have paid a high price for their student advocacy—but this is something we cannot see.

There are many such arguments insinuating that Wang Dan is living a good life overseas, and that his opinions should therefore be discredited.

As such, other than pointing out examples of the suppression victims of the Tiananmen Square Massacre faced, we can also highlight the high price they have to pay, after being forced into exile and not being able to return home to their loved ones.

D
Not a perfect victim

This narrative criticizes the Tiananmen Square protesters as coming from good backgrounds and therefore being less worthy of sympathy. It wants to propagate the idea that the concerns of these students should be disregarded if they do not fit the traditional mould of the "victim".

Narrative Strategy

False balance

This user claims to have read through multiple sources of information to make a rational judgment of the Tiananmen incident, with the conclusion that even though there are criticisms of CCP rule, it is still the party best able to lead China towards prosperity.

Even though China has utilized "economic development" as the basis to consolidate its rule, who are the people who actually benefit from it? Also, why do they have to pay the price for it?

We need to clearly differentiate between the pros and cons propagated by the other party, and the people who benefit or are hurt by these. Most of the benefits are reaped by people who have the power, while those without end up paying a heavy price for it.

A
False balance

This narrative tries to adopt a seemingly "rational" perspective to debate the pros and cons of the Tiananmen Square incident, eventually concluding that the pros of the suppression outweigh the cons.

False causality

This user asserts that China is now the world’s factory and has a strong economy which is peaceful and stable politically, thereby proving that Deng Xiaoping’s decision to suppress the Tiananmen Square protests is the right one, even if he faced criticism for it.

There is no causal relationship between repression and national development. If we want to use this argument, then I can also say that if there was no repression in China, China would have democratized today and become a greater country than the totalitarian country it is today.

Putting aside the question of whether China’s political situation is truly stable and of greatness, the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests and national development have only a temporal relationship, but has been mistaken by the other party as having a cause-and-effect relationship.

The way we can counter such an argument is to therefore use a thought experiment—China would have democratized today if the violent suppression did not occur, and China today could become an even greater country than the totalitarian that it is today.

B
False Causality

This narrative adopts a similar utilitarian narrative of how the pros outweigh the cons, and how their government or leader must be of such greatness, that the decision of the government or leader must be the right one.

The aim of these proposed response strategies are not intended to encourage people to pick fights online, but to help individuals clarify the intentions of the other party, so that we are able to respond to the messages in a logical manner.

The response strategies might not allow us to come to an immediate consensus on the viewpoints with the opposing side, but using a clear logic flow in our arguments would at least provide other people in the conversation with multiple perspectives, from which they can make informed decisions with.

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Read About Other Cases

We have relied largely on Chinese-language material for the cases highlighted in this website since the propaganda spread about the Tiananmen Square Massacre is largely targeted at Mandarin speakers. If you are interested in obtaining more information, please write to us at [email protected]