That’s all well and good, but if we’re living under a tyrannical government 30 years from now I won’t care whether we failed to make some really cool symbols.

What is he a symbol of, exactly? This picture is shown to 12 yearolds in history books so they can feel better about their made-in-china sneakers and not ask questions about why the #1 trading partner to the US literally pancaked people in the street. There's a picture right after this picture btw. The same people are in charge. China didn't start feeling bad about what happened here and get better. People just decided they didn't want what happened here happening to them or their kids. If anything, this is a symbol of why you don't do what this man did. And judging by the censorship and antigun laws being passed all around the world, I'm starting to suspect this western bit of propaganda isn't so much "hey, look at what freedom can do if you fight for it" so much as it is "watch what we'll do to you here if you don't keep your nose to the grindstone".

Yes. But it's probably something along the lines of losing face. I think they are actually a bit ashamed to have done this. But the outcome is that they knocked the teeth from the masses for generations.

That being said, I personally think that unless there are exceptional circumstances the CCP will not let go. They are doubling down on control and invigilation. The chinese people will not see freedom in a long long time. Let's hope that at least Taiwan stays free.