After the Tiananmen Square Massacre, there was no political reform changes that the protesters were fighting for. In fact, what we continue to see is more restrictions following the protests. Protesters were either imprisoned, executed or had to flee the country. Politicians who showed any sympathy with the protests were also punished and discharged from their government positions. Chinese media outlets that covered the event faced certain disciplines and certain foreign journalists were expelled from China. Many countries around the world disapproved of the government's actions and the United States instituted economic and diplomatic sanctions. As a result of this, the government decided to separate domestic politics and foreign policy. In an attempt to strengthen support for the party, the Chinese Communist Party implemented patriotic education, nationalism and economic growth to build up the country while still maintaining the same political power.
Directly after the event, economic growth in China declined significantly due to the international sanctions placed on them. However, years later China's economy prospered due to globalization and their economic reform agenda. Economically, the country has prospered and people are achieving greater wealth with a substantial increase to the middle class. However, this economic progress has come at a price, as it has kept people from challenging an oppressive government.
The social impact of the massacre was monumental. To this day, the total number of those who were killed is still unknown. There were also countless human rights violations in which many survivors still suffer from harassment, mental trauma and physical ailments. The government's stricter censorship has almost wiped out any evidence of this event. Schools are forbidden to teach or mention the protest, and the results from the lack of knowledge is staggering. An informal survey conducted on University students in Beijing showed that only 15 out of 100 even knew what occurred on June 4th, 1989. Another impact is that less people are engaging in activism or peaceful criticism of the government. This is largely due a quick response from the CCP and also because of the financial stability that has significantly improved the quality of life.