While Chen was opposed to the violent suppression of the students, he did give his support to the military once the action had begun.
Two hundred years of violent suppression hasn't left them much freedom to distance themselves from their culture and look around.
The annual review was put into place after China's violent suppression of pro-democracy activity in 1989.
The military took power after the violent suppression of nationwide pro-democracy protests in 1988.
Before, as interior minister - the nation's internal security chief - he oversaw the violent suppression of student protesters in the late 1960's.
China's new leadership has given mixed signals since it took power after the violent suppression of the democracy movement.
Methods used to maintain the monopoly involved extortion and the violent suppression of the native population, including mass murder.
The halt was imposed after the violent suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in June.
The violent suppression of the demonstrations has drawn international criticism.
The statement also expressed concern about "the destruction resulting from the violent suppression of Iraqi civilians."
