Chronicle TIMELINE

A chronological, causal record of the resistance, major political crises, and contemporary truth.

All decades ›1980s›1989›May›19

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Wen Jiabao suppressed Zhao Ziyang's urgent telegram regarding the convening of the NPC Standing Committee

1989.05.19 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·Beijing

On the eve of the June Fourth (Tiananmen) crackdown, Zhao Ziyang drafted a telegram requesting Wan Li to return to China and convene the NPC Standing Committee to veto the martial law decree. Wen Jiabao, director of the General Office of the CCP Central Committee, suppressed the telegram and prevented it from being sent on the grounds that the procedures were not compliant.

Wen Jiabao Accompanied Zhao Ziyang to Tiananmen Square

1989.05.19 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

In the early hours of May 19, 1989, Wen Jiabao accompanied Zhao Ziyang to Tiananmen Square to visit the students on a hunger strike.

Deng Xiaoping convenes a meeting at home, decides to remove Zhao Ziyang from the position of General Secretary

1989.05.19 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·China

Deng Xiaoping convened a meeting at home and decided to remove Zhao Ziyang from the position of General Secretary. Zhao Ziyang and Hu Qili were not notified of this meeting.