China Challenges draws our attention to a possible sign of hope in China. A survivor of one of the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre is to receive official payment for the death. The BBC reports:

A Chinese mother whose son died in the aftermath of the 1989 pro—democracy protests has received a payout from the authorities, a rights activist says.

Tang Deying was given 70,000 yuan ($8,745) in "hardship assistance" by officials in the south—west city of Chengdu, local activist Huang Qi said.

Zhou Guocong,15, died in police custody in Chengdu days after the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests.

But other relatives say they doubt this marks a start to compensation payouts.

The Chinese authorities have consistently claimed their actions in June 1989 were justified.

It is no doubt wise to avoid excessive hope in this matter. Nevertheless, it is one more sign that the growth imperative may be leading to a certain kind of political healing, possibly involving rehabilitation of other reputations trampled by the excesses of China's left.