Tiananmen Square massacre
In the spring of 1989, Communist China faced large-scale student demonstrations in Beijing and several other cities. As the tensions grew, the Chinese authorities led by Deng Xiaoping ordered the army to intervene. They chose the path of repression, knowing it would necessarily affect China’s relations with the West. The reactions proved rather muted, but the Chinese Communist Party, while maintaining a pragmatic approach,and remaining committed to opening up the country to the outside world, took a number of decisions that would ultimately witness the rise of a new generation of leaders, including a young Xi Jinping.
In the series:
Jan. 19: Charles de Gaulle said “non” to the UK joining the European Community. January 1963. Did he foresee Brexit?
Jan. 26: “Vive le Québec Libre”; de Gaulle in Quebec, July 24, 1967
Feb. 2: The fall of Saigon – The end of the Vietnam War, April 30, 1975
Feb. 9: Tiananmen Square massacre, June 3-4, 1989
Feb. 16: The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War? November 9, 1989