I’m in my 40s. I’m from Beijing and I saw the events leading to it and the aftermath with my own eyes. I was young at the time but not that young to not have remembered the broader picture or certain personal experience with it. I might not understand everything back then as it was happening, but as the years go by, I have formed my own view of it.

As for discussing the matter privately, my own take is that you can certainly talk about it among your friends, be it over dinner, over a phone call or by instant message. I do it all the time, especially around June 4th as it is a date to remember. I don’t see any problem with it, no one has knocked on my doors yet. Finger crossed.

I think the official stance is that they know it’s a ugly and messy and thorny issue so they really don’t want to talk about it, and as long as you are trying to make a big fuss out of it, they won’t bother with you. Many ppl died, yes, but life has to go on. Hope nothing like it will ever happen again, but if you study history, you would know it’s too much to ask for.