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General Xu Qinxian's Courage During Tiananmen Square Crackdown Revealed

12/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

General Xu Qinxian refused to lead troops against demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
A leaked video of Xu Qinxian’s secret court-martial shows his conscience and professional judgment rationale.
The military crackdown caused hundreds, possibly thousands, of unarmed civilian deaths.
Xu, then commander of the 38th Group Army, was charged with disobeying martial law and stripped of command.

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Story summary

General Xu Qinxian refused to lead troops against demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
A leaked video of Xu Qinxian’s secret court-martial shows his conscience and professional judgment rationale.
The military crackdown caused hundreds, possibly thousands, of unarmed civilian deaths.
Xu, then commander of the 38th Group Army, was charged with disobeying martial law and stripped of command.