31 photos from the Tiananmen Square protests that China has tried to erase from history

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Alexandra MaJun 4, 2023, 22:18 IST
31 photos from the Tiananmen Square protests that China has tried to erase from history

Photographer: Jeff Widener

  • June 4, 2023, is the 34th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's bloody crackdown on a pro-democracy protest in Beijing's central Tiananmen Square.
  • The protest started off in April as a student-led occupation calling for political and economic liberalization, but ended in bloodshed.

June 4, 2023, marks the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, which saw a weekslong, student-led protest for democracy and liberalization end in hundreds of brutal deaths.

In the early hours of June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party sent a column of tanks and armed troops into central Beijing, instructing them to "use any means" to clear out protesters who had been occupying it for the past few weeks.

It turned into a night of bloodshed that continued into the next morning, where thousands of soldiers fired into the crowd, killing and injuring hundreds of people. The exact toll remains unclear to this day.

Scroll down to learn about the history of the Tiananmen Square incident — through 31 photos the Chinese government doesn't want you to see.

Harrison Jacobs, Mark Abadi, Adam Taylor, Trisha Gopal and Erin Fuchs contributed to this report.

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The protests began in April 1989, after the death of ousted Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang.

The protests began in April 1989, after the death of ousted Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang.
Tens of thousands of students and citizens at the Martyr's Monument at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on April 21, 1989.Sadayuki Mikami/AP

During his tenure Hu tried to push the country toward a more open political and pro-market economic system, which won the support of many students from the country's elite universities.

During his tenure Hu tried to push the country toward a more open political and pro-market economic system, which won the support of many students from the country's elite universities.
A truck is almost buried in people as it makes its way through a crowd of protesters in Tiananmen Square on May 17, 1989.AP
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Tens of thousands of students and workers gathered in Tiananmen Square in downtown Beijing as a result.

Tens of thousands of students and workers gathered in Tiananmen Square in downtown Beijing as a result.
Beijing university students wave fists and flags as Chinese military helicopters fly over Tiananmen Square at dawn on May 21, 1989.AP

Tiananmen Square is a significant location because the mausoleum of China's founding father, Mao Zedong, and the Great Hall of the People — home to the country's main legislature — are both located there.

The protesters came with a long list of grievances, asking for greater freedom of speech, higher salaries, and controls on inflation. Following Hu's memorial on April 22, the students presented a list of demands for the government. They were rejected.

The protesters came with a long list of grievances, asking for greater freedom of speech, higher salaries, and controls on inflation. Following Hu's memorial on April 22, the students presented a list of demands for the government. They were rejected.
A Chinese student leader reads a list of demands to students staging a sit-in in front of the Great Hall of the People on April 18, 1989.Kathy Wilhelm/AP
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On April 26, the state-run People's Daily published an editorial calling the rallies "disturbances," and accusing the protesters of working against the Communist Party. This enraged the protesters even more.

On April 26, the state-run People's Daily published an editorial calling the rallies "disturbances," and accusing the protesters of working against the Communist Party. This enraged the protesters even more.
Beijing residents read a copy of a newspaper that had been printed by student protesters and placed on a streetlight near the Beijing University Campus on April 24, 1989.Mark Avery/AP

Read an English translation of the editorial here.

By May 13, the crowd in Tiananmen Square had grown to about 300,000 people, with many spending their nights there. Here, two unidentified Beijing University students take a nap amid boxes of soft drinks.

By May 13, the crowd in Tiananmen Square had grown to about 300,000 people, with many spending their nights there. Here, two unidentified Beijing University students take a nap amid boxes of soft drinks.
This photo was taken on May 19, 1989.AP
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More than a hundred students also started a hunger strike at this point.

More than a hundred students also started a hunger strike at this point.
Unidentified Beijing University students, who had been on a five-day hunger strike for democracy, take an early morning break in Tiananmen Square, on May 18, 1989.AP

Many also staged a sit-in in anticipation of a high-level visit by Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union.

Many also staged a sit-in in anticipation of a high-level visit by Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union.
University students on hunger strike sit in Tiananmen Square on May 13, 1989.AP
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On May 19, Communist Party General Secretary Zhao Ziyang — who advocated negotiating with the students — appeared at the protest and asked them for a compromise. This failed.

On May 19, Communist Party General Secretary Zhao Ziyang — who advocated negotiating with the students — appeared at the protest and asked them for a compromise. This failed.
Beijing University students rally in Tiananmen Square on May 20, 1989.AP

According to the BBC, Zhao told the crowd: "We have come too late."

Zhao's rival, Chinese Premier Li Peng, declared martial law shortly after.

Zhao's rival, Chinese Premier Li Peng, declared martial law shortly after.
A Chinese army convoy that had been en route to Tiananmen Square, Beijing, turns back after demonstrators blocked its entry on May 20, 1989.Mark Avery/AP
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The People's Liberation Army — China's military — began their march on Beijing on May 20, only to withdraw a few days later. Protesters would lecture the soldiers, asking them to join their cause.

The People's Liberation Army — China's military — began their march on Beijing on May 20, only to withdraw a few days later. Protesters would lecture the soldiers, asking them to join their cause.
A Beijing University student reads a list of goals in their occupation of Tiananmen Square to People's Liberation Army troops on May 20.AP

Around the same time the student protest started to split, with no clear leader.

Around the same time the student protest started to split, with no clear leader.
A Chinese military helicopter passes over Tiananmen Square and demonstrating students following the declaration of martial law, Saturday, May 20, 1989, Beijing, China.AP
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Regardless, they continued to take over Beijing's central square. For about a week, their occupation appeared unhindered, with no visible security presence.

Regardless, they continued to take over Beijing's central square. For about a week, their occupation appeared unhindered, with no visible security presence.
Beijing University students listen as a strike spokesman details plans for a rally in Tiananmen Square on May 28, 1989.AP

Source: BBC

They even unloaded a 30-foot Styrofoam statue, modeled on the Statue of Liberty, in the square.

They even unloaded a 30-foot Styrofoam statue, modeled on the Statue of Liberty, in the square.
This photo of the square was taken on May 30, 1989.AP
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Many young people openly attacked the government. This protester's sign reads: "We no longer trust dirty public servants. We trust Mr Democracy."

Many young people openly attacked the government. This protester's sign reads: "We no longer trust dirty public servants. We trust Mr Democracy."
A young Chinese man holds up a sign that says "We no longer trust dirty public servants. We trust Mr. Democracy" during an occupation of Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. The exact date on which this was taken is not known.Forrest Anderson/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

Then the Communist Party decided once again to take action. On June 2, senior party officials imposed martial law to let "order be restored to the capital."

Then the Communist Party decided once again to take action. On June 2, senior party officials imposed martial law to let "order be restored to the capital."
A student pro-democracy protester flashes victory signs to the crowd as People's Liberation Army troops withdrew from Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989.AP

Source: ABC News

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Some 250,000 troops started mobilizing the next day, with orders to enter the square at 1 a.m. on June 4 and clear it by 6 a.m.

Some 250,000 troops started mobilizing the next day, with orders to enter the square at 1 a.m. on June 4 and clear it by 6 a.m.
Chinese army troops from the party headquarters garrison jog in formation in a show of force in Beijing, June 3, 1989.Liu Heung Shing/AP

The soldiers were given this standing military order, as recorded by historian Wu Renhua and cited by ABC News. Wu had been a protester at Tiananmen Square at the time.

They were also given permission to "act in self-defense and use any means to clear impediments," according to Tiananmen historian Wu Renhua.

They were also given permission to "act in self-defense and use any means to clear impediments," according to Tiananmen historian Wu Renhua.
A young woman is caught between civilians and Chinese soldiers, who were trying to remove her from an assembly near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 3, 1989.AP Photo/Jeff Widener

A group of senior army generals and commanders opposed martial law, and wrote letters to Communist Party leaders not to unleash troops in Beijing, The New York Times reported, citing recent testimony by former lieutenant Jiang Lin. But the leaders ignored those calls.

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The first report of live fire on civilians came at 10 p.m. on June 3, around six miles west of Tiananmen Square, ABC News reported. The army reached the square at 1:30 a.m. on June 4.

The first report of live fire on civilians came at 10 p.m. on June 3, around six miles west of Tiananmen Square, ABC News reported. The army reached the square at 1:30 a.m. on June 4.
Civilians hold rocks as they stand on a government armored vehicle near Chang'an Boulevard in Beijing, early June 4, 1989. AP Photo/Jeff Widener

Source: ABC News

Protesters resisted when troops first entered the square. Most of the occupiers were unarmed, but some had rocks and other weapons.

Protesters resisted when troops first entered the square. Most of the occupiers were unarmed, but some had rocks and other weapons.
A man tries to pull a Chinese soldier away from his comrades as thousands of Beijing citizens turned out to block thousands of troops on their way towards Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989.Mark Avery/AP
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Violence erupted, with armored personnel carriers ramming through student lines and firing on protesters as they tried to block them from entering the square.

Violence erupted, with armored personnel carriers ramming through student lines and firing on protesters as they tried to block them from entering the square.
A student protester is putting barricades in the path of a burning army tank that had rammed through students trying to block its way in the early hours of June 4, 1989.AP

After a night of bloodshed, the square was cleared. The Communist Party said at the time that 241 people, including soldiers, died, and 7,000 were injured.

After a night of bloodshed, the square was cleared. The Communist Party said at the time that 241 people, including soldiers, died, and 7,000 were injured.
Chinese troops march down Beijing's Chang'an Boulevard, firing indiscriminately to clear the street of protesters, on June 5, 1989.AP

Source: PBS

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Other numbers have since circulated, with one UK diplomatic memo putting the figure at 10,000. Many deaths happened outside the square, with soldiers firing directly at unarmed protesters.

Other numbers have since circulated, with one UK diplomatic memo putting the figure at 10,000. Many deaths happened outside the square, with soldiers firing directly at unarmed protesters.
A truck drives Chinese soldiers down Chang'an Boulevard in Beijing on June 5, 1989.Jeff Widener/AP

Secret UK diplomatic cables released in 2017 put the death toll to more than 10,000, the BBC reported.

Regardless, this was the most violent night the country has ever seen under communist rule.

Regardless, this was the most violent night the country has ever seen under communist rule.
Chinese army tanks enter Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.Asahi Shimbun via Getty
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After clearing Tiananmen Square on June 5, soldiers continued to drive down Beijing's main roads, with some of them firing sporadically at protesters who continued to block their way.

After clearing Tiananmen Square on June 5, soldiers continued to drive down Beijing's main roads, with some of them firing sporadically at protesters who continued to block their way.
Chinese army tanks block an overpass on Beijing's Chang'an Avenue, which leads to Tiananmen Square, on June 4, 1989.Peter Charlesworth/LightRocket via Getty

As a column of tanks drove down Chang'an Boulevard near Tiananmen Square, one man stepped in front of them — resulting in this iconic photo of the event.

As a column of tanks drove down Chang'an Boulevard near Tiananmen Square, one man stepped in front of them — resulting in this iconic photo of the event.
AP

Here's what happened, according to PBS Frontline:

"About midday, as a column of tanks slowly moves along Chang'an Boulevard toward Tiananmen Square, an unarmed young man carrying shopping bags suddenly steps out in front of the tanks.

"Instead of running over him, the first tank tries to go around, but the young man steps in front of it again. They repeat this maneuver several more times before the tank stops and turns off its motor.

"The young man climbs on top of the tank and speaks to the driver before jumping back down again. Soon, the young man is whisked to the side of the road by an unidentified group of people and disappears into the crowd."

Source: BBC, PBS

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The identity and whereabouts of the protester — named "Tank Man" — remains unknown. Jeff Widener, the American photographer who took the photo of him, received a Pulitzer Prize finalist nomination for the photo in 1990.

The identity and whereabouts of the protester — named "Tank Man" — remains unknown. Jeff Widener, the American photographer who took the photo of him, received a Pulitzer Prize finalist nomination for the photo in 1990.
Old ABC News footage shows a group of people dragging a protester, in a white shirt, away after he stood in front of a column of army tanks by Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 5, 1989.ABC News/AP

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping appeared for the first time since the crackdown on June 9, praising the military for its work over the past few days, and labeling the protesters counter-revolutionaries who wanted to overthrow communism.

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping appeared for the first time since the crackdown on June 9, praising the military for its work over the past few days, and labeling the protesters counter-revolutionaries who wanted to overthrow communism.
Curious Beijing residents gather to look at the military hardware in Tiananmen Square on June 7, 1989.AP

Source: BBC

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Tens of thousands of people were arrested after the protests, and an unknown number were likely executed, according to PBS.

Tens of thousands of people were arrested after the protests, and an unknown number were likely executed, according to PBS.
Cyclists pedal through the ruins of the clash between the People's Liberation Army and pro-democracy protesters about three miles from Tiananmen Square on June 10, 1989.AP

Source: PBS

China has completely written Tiananmen Square out of its history books, and bans searches and keywords related to the incident on its social media in the run-up to its anniversary every year.

China has completely written Tiananmen Square out of its history books, and bans searches and keywords related to the incident on its social media in the run-up to its anniversary every year.
Beijing residents commute past an army tank to get to work on June 12, 1989.AP

That paranoia has likely increased under President Xi Jinping, whose crackdown on the country's internet continues to increase.

Source: Insider

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On the 34th anniversary of the protests, China tightened access to Tiananmen Square, and dozens have been detained in Hong Kong.

On the 34th anniversary of the protests, China tightened access to Tiananmen Square, and dozens have been detained in Hong Kong.
Police detain a woman with paper flowers on the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, near where the candlelight vigil is usually held, in Hong Kong, June 4, 2023.REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Hong Kong had been the last Chinese-controlled territory to still hold gatherings to commemorate the crackdown. But on June 3rd, 2023, the night before the anniversary, eight activists and artists had been detained. On the day of the anniversary, at least 16 more people had been detained.

For decades, thousands would gather in Victoria Square to hold a candlelight vigil for the protesters who lost their lives. However, in June 2020, a national security law prevented anyone from holding memorial events, an indication of the tightening freedom of expression in Hong Kong in recent years.

Sources: AP, Reuters

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