The Tiananmen Square Massacre refers to Beijing's use of lethal force to put down a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 1989. The massacre received international condemnation as the unarmed demonstrators were largely led by students and intellectuals.
The student protest originated under Mainland China's push toward a free market economy despite a lack of political reform. In 1987, Chinese Communist Party official Hu Yaobang, who had spearheaded reform attempts, was forced to resign from the party. After that, he was painted as an anti-communist by state propaganda, despite enjoying popular support amongst Beijing's intellectuals. When Hu died of heart failure in April 1989, students and intellectuals gathered to mourn him and urge the government to clear his name of wrongdoing.
But as that campaign's supporters grew, so did its demands to the central government. Before long, the demonstrations were as much about democratic reforms as they were about Hu Yaobang. Yet the protests had never called for a regime change, instead explicitly endorsing the Chinese Communist Party while also calling for reform.
Left with few options, Premier Li Peng sent the army in to disperse the tens of thousands of activists gathered. Mainland China's official reports claim only around 200 people died in the ensuing massacre, while Russian intelligence indicates as many as 3,000 people were killed.
The massacre seriously hurt Mainland China's image abroad. It highlighted Beijing's human rights violations and media censorship.
Ever since the massacre, worldwide memorial services have been held for the victims on June 4, especially in Hong Kong and Taiwan.