Tiananmen Crackdown and the American Response
1989-06-04
On the night of 3–4 June 1989, Chinese troops used lethal force to break the protest movement in Beijing. Demonstrations had grown after former party leader Hu Yaobang’s death in April, bringing demands for political reform and anger over corruption and inflation into the streets. [1]
On 5 June, George H. W. Bush condemned the violence and suspended government arms sales and military exchanges with China. His administration also reviewed ways for Chinese students in the United States to remain if they feared returning home, and offered humanitarian help to the wounded. [2]
Bush wanted to preserve contact with China. At his news conference, he rejected calls to withdraw the American ambassador, arguing that the embassy was an essential source of information and influence. [2] [1]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- Tiananmen Square, 1989 — Office of the Historian
Protests, martial law, crackdown, and diplomatic consequences
- President Bush’s news conference
Opening statement on China; sanctions and continued contact
- Chinese Ambassadors to the United States of America
- Han Xu
Biographical narrative
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Cite This Article
Tiananmen Crackdown and the American Response. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 7920df9c8b33bcd8e196. https://chanceries.org/research/history/china-tiananmen-caae0206e2/