In May of 1989 Susan and I were in Mainland China
for what turned out to be our last business Trip to China. We had left Tianamen Square a few weeks earlier and were in Shanghai as the Student Revolt centered in Bejing began in full force. We were downtown "shopping" by ourselves when we were located by our "Chinese Handlers" who said it was time to leave immediately for Hong Kong. The Students were in the process of demonstrating on the Main Streets of Shanghai. So unlike anything we had seen before on past trips to China......thousands of young people marching, singing and flag waving and chanting. At the time we were all unaware of what was happening in Tiananmen Square in Bejing. It was only after our return back into Hong Kong, and being greeted by the world press that we began to realize the importance of the situation we had just left. The demonstrations were not quite yet in full swing and government intervention was a week or so away. Reporters and film crews were out in force seeking interviews and comments on the situation, as we de-planed. As there was not much to offer the press, we claimed ignorance and headed for downtown. It was not until we had returned to the US that we realized the importance of what we had just left behind. In retrospect, we should have realized the something was amiss as we boarded our flight for Bejing and were approached by students asking us to carry literature, etc to be distributed to the students in Bejing. Our handlers were intent on not allowing this and discouraged us from even talking with any of the students. As this was a business trip, we were obliged to follow the advice of these government officials It goes without saying that upon our return, and after much reflection, have we both realized what we had been witness to. It was a sad way to end our business relationship with China and her many fine people who had helped grow Brown Sugar Designs.
