The aftermath of the Beijing massacre was as momentous as the crackdown itself. “Purging and sorting-out work” compelled all Beijing work units to investigate people who had been involved in the spring’s demonstrations, and all urban Party members were required to reregister and affirm their loyalty. Ever since 1989, the Party has handled the aftermath of June Fourth like an abusive partner who knows that they have done something wrong but still uses the threat of violence to force compliance from the citizens of China.