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Documents - Contemporary China
George H.W. Bush, Press Conference, June 5, 1989
June 5, 1989
President Bush spoke to the press at the White House. He began by discussing the violent suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in China and took questions which addressed U.S.-China relations in the aftermath of the crackdown.
Tiananmen Square Document 18: Cable, SITREP No. 35: June 6, 0500 Hours, 1989
June 5, 1989
This report from the U.S. Embassy stated that a western military attaché had told the U.S. military representative that one PLA unit, the 27th Army, "was responsible for most of the death and destruction at Tiananmen Square on June 3." (June 5, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 16: Cable, China Task Force Situation Report No. 3 - Situation as of 1700 EDT, 6/4/89, 1989
June 4, 1989
The State Department's China task force was busy updating other diplomatic and consular posts around the world on the situation in Beijing. (June 4, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 15: Cable, SITREP No. 33, 1989
June 4, 1989
The document forwards some early casualty estimates, and also reports on the release of ten foreigners who had been detained by Chinese public security, including several journalists. (June 4, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 14: Cable, SITREP No. 32: The Morning of June 4, 1989
June 4, 1989
This SITREP is the Embassy's initial effort to provide some detail on the final PLA assault on the approximately 3,000 demonstrators who had not yet left the square. (June 4, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 13: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for June 4, 1989, China: Troops Open Fire, 1989
June 4, 1989
The document describes how civilians turned out in massive numbers and fought for seven hours to prevent the troops from advancing on the square.
Tiananmen Square Document 12: Cable, SITREP 1, 1989
June 3, 1989
This document, the first in this series of SITREPs, updates U.S. embassy and consular personnel around the world on the first violent clashes with demonstrators. (June 3, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 11: Cable, SITREP No. 28: Ten to Fifteen Thousand Armed Troops Stopped at City Perimeter by Human and Bus Barricades, 1989
June 3, 1989
The document describes the movement of these troops toward the vicinity of Tiananmen Square from several different directions. (June 3, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 10: Cable, SITREP No. 27: Martial Law with Chinese Characteristics, 1989
June 3, 1989
This cable provides fascinating eyewitness accounts of the disorganized and confused retreat of PLA soldiers from the center of Beijing after their advance on Tiananmen Square was halted by crowds of demonstrators on the morning of June 3. (June 3, 1989)
Tiananmen Square Document 9: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for June 3, 1989, China: Police Use Tear Gas on Crowds, 1989
June 3, 1989
This document describes two incidents that in retrospect may have convinced Chinese authorities that the use of force was necessary.
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Featured Articles
January 4, 2024
We note the passing of many prominent individuals who played some role in U.S.-China affairs, whether in politics, economics or in helping people in one place understand the other.
Events
Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 4:00pm PST
Ying Zhu looks at new developments for Chinese and global streaming services.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - 4:00pm
David Zweig examines China's talent recruitment efforts, particularly towards those scientists and engineers who left China for further study. U.S. universities, labs and companies have long brought in talent from China. Are such people still welcome?