Tiananmen Square: What happened in the protests of 1989? - BBC News

Summary

The video recounts the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, where Chinese government forces brutally suppressed a pro-democracy movement led by students and civilians. The protest, sparked by the death of liberal leader Hu Yaobang, escalated as demands for freedom of press and political reforms grew. Despite initial hope, the movement was met with a violent military crackdown, leaving an unknown death toll. The video explores the events leading to the tragedy, the crackdown's consequences, and the ongoing efforts to seek justice and truth, which remain suppressed in China.

Takeaways

• 😔 The Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing, 1989, ended in a violent crackdown by the Chinese government, with tanks and soldiers shooting at unarmed civilians and students.
• 🗽 The protesters were advocating for democracy, liberty, and freedom of the press, inspired by the relatively free atmosphere and the open-door policy introduced by Deng Xiaoping.
• 💔 The death of Hu Yaobang, a liberal leader loved by the people, sparked the initial protests as college students mourned his passing and began demanding political reforms.
• 😡 The publication of an editorial in the People's Daily, which condemned the protests as disturbances, further fueled the protesters' anger and led to the establishment of the Beijing Students Autonomous Federation.
• 💪 The protests gained momentum with support from Beijing residents, workers, and civil servants, with over 100,000 students marching to mark the anniversary of the 1919 protests against the Treaty of Versailles.
• 🍽️ The protest escalated when students began a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, drawing widespread public support and leading to a standoff with the government.
• ⚠️ Despite attempts at dialogue, tensions rose, and a curfew was imposed in Beijing, which the students ignored, turning Tiananmen Square into a temporary island of liberty.
• 💥 On June 3rd and 4th, 1989, the Chinese military launched a full-scale assault on Tiananmen Square, resulting in the deaths of an unknown number of people, with estimates ranging from hundreds to over ten thousand.
• 📉 The violent crackdown is seen by some as the moment the Chinese Communist Party lost its legitimacy to rule, while others argue that it was necessary to maintain stability and economic progress.
• 🚫 Thirty years later, the Tiananmen Square Massacre remains a taboo subject in mainland China, with commemorations largely confined to Hong Kong, where people continue to seek justice and accountability for the events of 1989.

Q & A

What event triggered the initial protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989?

The initial protests were triggered by the death of Hu Yaobang, the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, on April 15, 1989. Hu was seen as a liberal reformer and was loved by the people, particularly college students who mourned his passing and began protesting in Tiananmen Square.

What were the main demands of the protesters in Tiananmen Square?

The protesters in Tiananmen Square demanded a crackdown on corruption, freedom of the press, and political reforms that would bring greater liberty and democracy to China.

How did the Chinese government initially respond to the protests?

The Chinese government initially responded to the protests by publishing an editorial on April 26, 1989, in the People's Daily, which condemned the protests as 'disturbances' and vowed to take a clear-cut stand against them.

What was the significance of the April 26 editorial published by the Chinese government?

The April 26 editorial was significant because it labeled the protesters as a threat to society, echoing the language used during the Cultural Revolution to justify purges. This editorial enraged the protesters, leading to the establishment of the Beijing Students Autonomous Federation and escalating the conflict between the government and the protesters.

What role did Zhao Ziyang, the Communist Party chief, play during the protests?

Zhao Ziyang initially expressed sympathy for the protesters, calling the protest patriotic on May 4, 1989. However, as the situation escalated, he later visited Tiananmen Square on May 19, pleading with the students to end their hunger strike and leave the square peacefully, but his plea was unsuccessful.

How did the hunger strike initiated by the students affect the protest movement?

The hunger strike, which began on May 13, 1989, brought widespread public support for the students, as many Beijing residents and workers rushed to provide food and drink to the strikers. This act of defiance galvanized the movement and led to even greater participation in the protests.

What happened on the night of June 3rd and early morning of June 4th, 1989?

On the night of June 3rd and early morning of June 4th, 1989, the Chinese government deployed 200,000 soldiers to enforce the eviction of protesters from Tiananmen Square. The soldiers used live ammunition, shooting at students and civilians as they advanced, resulting in a bloody crackdown on the protest movement.

What was the fate of the Goddess of Democracy statue during the crackdown?

The Goddess of Democracy statue, which symbolized the protesters' dreams of democracy and liberty, was torn down by the soldiers during the crackdown on June 4th, 1989.

Why is the death toll from the Tiananmen Square crackdown still uncertain?

The death toll from the Tiananmen Square crackdown remains uncertain because the Chinese government has never released an official count, and estimates range from several hundred to over ten thousand. The exact number of casualties is still unknown.

How is the Tiananmen Square incident remembered or commemorated today?

In mainland China, the Tiananmen Square incident is still a taboo subject, and it is impossible to openly mark the anniversary. However, vigils are held every year in Hong Kong, where tens of thousands of people gather to remember the victims and continue seeking the truth about the crackdown.