The Tiananmen Square protests

The Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 were student-led demonstrations in Beijing advocating for political reform, greater freedoms, and anti-corruption measures. They grew to involve thousands of citizens demanding democratic changes but were ultimately suppressed by the Chinese government. On June 4, 1989, military forces used troops and tanks to clear the square, resulting in a significant number of casualties. The event remains a sensitive topic in China, symbolizing the conflict between calls for reform and authoritarian control.