Story perspectives

Troops Shot Protesters as Beijing Crackdown Escalated, Journalist Reports

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

Chinese army troops forced into central Beijing on June 3, 1989, confronting protesters.
A New York Times correspondent rode a bicycle into Tiananmen Square before the troops arrived.
He parked near Chairman Mao’s portrait, interviewing students and workers amid burning armored personnel carriers.
Troops first fired over the crowd, then lowered aim and shot directly at protesters.
The journalist described the army’s actions as a modern army waging war on its own people.

1 of 1

Chinese army troops forced into central Beijing on June 3, 1989, confronting protesters.
A New York Times correspondent rode a bicycle into Tiananmen Square before the troops arrived.
He parked near Chairman Mao’s portrait, interviewing students and workers amid burning armored personnel carriers.
Troops first fired over the crowd, then lowered aim and shot directly at protesters.
The journalist described the army’s actions as a modern army waging war on its own people.