Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The full death toll have never been disclosed, but experts suggests that thousands of lives was possibly lost when Chinese troops opened fire on student-led protests.
The full death toll have never been disclosed, but experts suggests that thousands of lives was possibly lost when Chinese troops opened fire on student-led protests.
36th anniversary of a tragedy
36 years ago today, a student-led protest was forcefully suppressed by troops in Beijing, China.
The day is marked all over the world with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying in a statement, that “the world wil never forget”.
But what actually happened at Tiananmen Square?
A Generation Mobilizes
In April 1989, the death of Hu Yaobang, a reform-minded Communist Party leader, sparked an unprecedented public reaction in China.
Mourners gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square not just to honor him, but to express deep frustrations over corruption, inflation, and stalled reforms.
A Peaceful Movement Gains Momentum
What began as a vigil quickly grew into a peaceful protest. Students were at the forefront, calling for political transparency, freedom of speech, and economic reform.
Their message resonated across the country, igniting demonstrations in dozens of cities.
Hunger Strike and Mass Solidarity
On May 13, student protesters in Beijing launched a hunger strike, demanding dialogue with party leaders. Their action galvanized public support.
By some estimates, up to a million people gathered in and around Tiananmen Square to back the students.
A Leadership Visits
On May 19, senior Communist Party leaders visited the square, prompting students to end their hunger strike.
But behind the scenes, plans for a harsher response were already underway.
Martial Law Declared
Just a day later, on May 20, the government declared martial law in Beijing.
Rather than easing tensions, this decision fueled even greater protests across the country.
A City Under Siege
As June began, the situation escalated dramatically.
On the night of June 3 into June 4, the government deployed tens of thousands of armed troops and hundreds of armored vehicles into central Beijing.
Their orders: clear the square at all costs.
Gunfire Without Warning
Troops opened fire as they moved through the city, shooting not just protesters but also bystanders.
According to witnesses, there were no warnings before the shooting began.
Some people were shot in the back as they fled; others were crushed by tanks.
Haunting Testimonies from the Night
Talking to Amnesty International, one protester recalled carrying wounded people on stretchers as soldiers filled plastic bags with bodies. Others were beaten or executed.
Eyewitnesses reported that up to 200 young people were later killed in secret after being detained.
The Crackdown Continues
In the days and weeks following the massacre, authorities conducted mass arrests.
Many were charged with vague “counter-revolutionary” crimes.
Possibly thousands dead
The Chinese government continues to claim that 241 people, including soldiers, were killed during the clearing of the square.
Red Cross, however, estimates the number of deaths to be closer to 2600.
