The Secret Trial of the General Who Refused to Attack Tiananmen Square

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 6 min read 100% complete by Chris BuckleyDecember 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

A leaked six-hour video from 1990 reveals the secret court-martial of Gen. Xu Qinxian, a Chinese general who refused orders to suppress the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. Xu, commander of the 38th Group Army, defied orders to lead his troops into Beijing, objecting to the use of armed force against civilians. The video shows Xu explaining to judges that he refused the order based on conscience and professional judgment, believing it would lead to bloodshed and historical condemnation. The release of the video is rare, as discussion of the Tiananmen Square crackdown remains heavily censored in China. Xu was stripped of his command and charged with disobeying martial law orders for his defiance.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tiananmen Square ×370% Deng Xiaoping ×280% Xu Qinxian ×5100%

Keywords

tiananmen square 100% xu qinxian 90% pro-democracy protests 80% court-martial 70% china 60% military dissent 60% martial law 50% deng xiaoping 50% censorship 40%