Hu Yaobang Funeral Ignites Tiananmen

In April 1989, Chinese leader Hu Yaobang died, and his funeral became the starting point for the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing. As General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, he had pushed for investigations into party nepotism and corruption, backed improved relations with Japan, and supported more autonomy for Tibetans and Uyghurs. Party hardliners forced him to resign in 1987 because he refused to crack down on student demonstrations. After his death, students poured into Tiananmen Square to mourn him and soon turned their grief into a broader political movement.

Previous Fact Next Fact