Word: deng
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...outpouring of discontent, and the authorities' decision not to stop it, represented an unprecedented humiliation for Deng Xiaoping and his government. Wisely deciding not to use force to end the march, the Chinese government acceded to demands for a dialogue with the students. "The demonstration marks the raising of democratic consciousness of the people," triumphantly said a graduate student of philosophy from Peking University...
...before Thursday's protest, there was every indication that the government was ready to crush even the smallest sprig of dissent. On Tuesday Premier Li Peng and President Yang Shangkun reportedly informed Deng that the movement had spread "to high schools, the countryside and even among the workers." Deng, whose sole official government title is Chairman of the Central Military Commission but whose ironhanded control of the government has led the students to dub him the "Emperor," agreed that the protesters intended to overthrow the Communist Party. Referring to the turmoil that has accompanied political reform elsewhere in the socialist...
Then the unthinkable happened. So many officials disagreed with Deng's directive to smash the protest that he was forced to rescind it. Some 100 staff members at the People's Daily signed a letter to their bosses challenging the paper's harsh editorial. Within the party, opposition to a crackdown was no less vehement. "The real dissatisfaction of the cadres was made known to Li shortly after the editorial was presented," said a knowledgeable Communist Party member. "They feared that if the leaders suppressed the demonstration and blood was shed, it would be like a big fire that would...
Most decisive was the reaction of the security forces to Deng's directive. The chief of Beijing's Public Security Bureau reportedly tried to step down rather than suppress the demonstration. Finally, cooler heads prevailed, and a last-minute decision was made to greet the marchers with unarmed policemen...
...streets they outmaneuvered the police and kept tight ranks to prevent provocateurs from causing an incident. By constantly quoting the constitution to justify their rally, they presented themselves as anything but wild-eyed radicals. To silence criticism that they are "antiparty" or "anti- socialist," students stopped denigrating Deng and Li. Peking University students carried a banner reading WE RESOLUTELY SUPPORT THE CORRECT LEADERSHIP INSIDE THE PARTY. Asked which leaders were correct, however, one of the students holding the banner quipped, "None...