He helped design China’s political reforms in the 1980s and tried to avert the bloodshed that ended the democracy protests. After prison, he became a critic of the party.
Tag: Zhao Ziyang
Ousted in Tiananmen Protests, a Late Chinese Leader Is Finally Given a Grave
The ashes of Zhao Ziyang, the liberal leader ousted after seeking compromise with the protesters, were laid to rest. But the uprising remains a sensitive political scar in China.
Li Peng, Chinese Leader Derided for Role in Tiananmen Crackdown, Dies at 90
For decades, critics called for Mr. Li, who became known as the “butcher of Beijing,” to face trial or a public reckoning for his role in the 1989 bloodshed.
New Documents Show Power Games Behind China’s Tiananmen Crackdown
A book released in Hong Kong reveals how after the 1989 massacre, China’s top officials united to denounce an ousted leader and embrace a darkly wary worldview.