Zhao Ziyang's death

Purged Chinese leader dies.
Western media has always been facinated by dissenters in
communist/islamic/non-western countries. Zhao is a good
example. It's shocking that he has not received Nobel
Peace yet, like Shirin Ebadi.
Tons of Nobel Peace/Literature Prizes went to Soviets.

Don't take me wrong. I have high regards for Zhao who opposed
the use of force against the Tiananmen Square demonstrators.
His oust is a personal tragedy and greater loss for China.
But, don't think for a minute that the so-called pro democracy
leaders were true believers in democracy. They just used naive
students for personal gains and they took off before the crack
down. Even worse, they told the students to hold positions so
that they will have time to flee. They knew that the crack down
was immediate and staying at square meant death. At least,
a great number of Chinese communist leaders, including party
chairman died for what they believed in during the 1920s
throughout 1940s, not just followers. Going further back in the
history, reform leaders in the Qing dynasty refused the chance
to flee and would rather die to wake up the crowds. True
reformers don't fear death. Today's Martin Luther King Day.
There you go.

All I can say is that it could be worse for China. Look no
further than north for a perfect example what instability,
rapid and radical change could bring to a country,
especially the economy. Double digit GDP? I don't think so.
Unofficial and incomplete eulogy here.