Africa • : On 6 August, Angolan Foreign Minister
Afonso Van-Dúnem expressed his understanding and support for the Chinese government's "decisive measures to quell the counter-revolutionary riots". • : On 21 June, President
Quett Masire said, “I deeply sympathize with the pressure your government and people have endured in the previous period, and I am pleased with the final resolution of the problem and the restoration of stability.” He also stated that as a brother country of the Third World, Botswana will do its best to share China's burdens. He continued by saying that Third World countries have all experienced difficult times, so it is natural for them to express sympathy and understanding for China. He expressed his appreciation for the Chinese government's policies, its determination not to back down in the face of setbacks, and its efforts to pursue progress and reform. Vice President
Peter Mmusi said that he was pleased to see that the Chinese government had turned the tide and that China would certainly continue to move towards its established goals. • : On 6 September, President
Blaise Compaoré spoke highly of the existing friendly and cooperative relations between Burkina Faso and China and expressed his satisfaction with the Chinese government's "quelling of the counter-revolutionary riots in Beijing and its swift control of the situation in the capital". On 7 September, Compaoré said that "quelling the riots" was "entirely China's internal affair. • : On 25 August, Comorian President
Ahmed Abdallah said that China is a sovereign country and that what happens in China is China's internal affair, which foreign countries have no right to interfere with. • : On 27 June, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Ahmed Asmat Abdel-Meguid said “The latest developments in the situation in China are China’s internal affairs. Egypt attaches importance to its relations with China and fully believes that the Chinese government will solve the problems it is currently facing and continue to achieve economic and social development.” When President
Hosni Mubarak met with Foreign Minister
Qian Qichen in September, he expressed his pleasure at China's stable political and economic development, gave it high praise, and invited President
Yang Shangkun to visit Egypt before the end of the year.
Yousef Wali, Secretary General of the ruling
National Democratic Party and Deputy Prime Minister, said that Egypt "understands and supports the actions taken by the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government in dealing with their internal affairs recently". On 18 September, Abdel-Meguid said that it is "unacceptable for some Western countries to interfere in China’s internal affairs. Egypt understands what is happening in China. Egypt does not interfere in China’s internal affairs, does not take measures that would harm the relations between the two countries or cause misunderstandings, and fully believes that the Chinese leaders have the wisdom and ability to solve their own problems." He expressed his understanding of China's "suppression of the counter-revolutionary riots and said that no country would allow or accept itself to be in a state of chaos". Abdel-Meguid also stated that it is unacceptable for certain Western countries to interfere in China's internal affairs; instead of seeking the truth, they are trying to harm China on a flawed basis. • : On 20 June, President
Omar Bongo said that everything happening in China was "China's internal affair" and expressed his hope that the existing friendly relations between Gabon and China would continue to develop. • : Radio Ghana said on 22 June the strong reaction of the Western world to this incident was “proof of a long-planned scheme by counter-revolutionaries and foreign forces to destabilize China”, and that the intervention of the Western world could not force a legitimate government to succumb to an unbelievable chaotic situation. On 7 July, Don Arthur, chairman of the Ghana National Economic Cooperation Council, said that Ghana "fully sympathized with and understood the just actions taken by the Chinese government in response to the recent counter-revolutionary riots in Beijing". He said that the Ghanaian government and people have "long been vigilant against the conspiracies of certain Western countries to undermine the stability and security of other countries". On 8 August,
Jerry Rawlings, chairman of the
Provisional National Defence Council, said when talking about the situation in China that “We are glad that the Chinese government has taken action to restore normal order and hope that the Chinese people will not be influenced by the outside world and will follow their own path.” On 10 October,
Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries, said that Ghana has "always attached importance to China’s reforms. We are deeply disappointed when some people in China carry out counter-revolutionary activities under the so-called slogans of “democracy” and “freedom”. But we have always believed that the Chinese leaders and the Chinese government are able to control the situation. And now, based on our observations, that is indeed the case". • : On 22 June, President
Daniel arap Moi said that Kenya hopes to see China stabilize so that the Chinese government can focus on developing the national economy, and expressed support for the Chinese government and hopes that China will continue to implement its reform and opening-up policies to the outside world. • : On 2 October, Madagascar President
Didier Ratsiraka said he supported the Chinese government's "decisive measures to quell the counter-revolutionary riots and opposed interference in China’s internal affairs by some countries". He said that no government in the world could tolerate a small group of rioters creating unrest in its capital for two months aimed at overthrowing the government. He continued by saying "Some Western powers have rudely interfered in China’s internal affairs and imposed economic sanctions during this process, which is a sign of irrationality." He stressed that China's affairs should be resolved by the Chinese government and should not be interfered with by other countries. • : Malian news media have not broadcast any reports on massacre that are unfavorable to the Chinese government. At some international conferences on the massacre, Malian representatives supported the Chinese government. • : On 17 June, Ndiaye Kane, a member of the
Military Committee for National Salvation and Minister of Health and Social Affairs, said that Mauritania was pleased that the Chinese government had "quelled a counter-revolutionary riot" and hoped that the political situation in China would stabilize. He also said that his country would stand with China and support the Chinese government. On 24 June, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Sidina Ould Sidiya said that he believed the Chinese government could control the situation and hoped that calm would be restored as soon as possible. He also said that other countries should not interfere in China's internal affairs. On 24 July, Mauritanian leader
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya said that he was pleased that the Chinese government had controlled the situation and that everything had returned to normal and calm. On 8 August, the newly appointed Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Sheikh Siddi Ahmed Ould Baba, said that the Mauritanian government fully supported all measures taken by the Chinese government to quell the riot when talking about China's "recent quelling of the counter-revolutionary riot in Beijing". • : On 9 August, Mozambican Foreign Minister Pascoal Mocumbi expressed his understanding of "China's suppression of the counter-revolutionary riots and his indignation at Western countries' interference in China's internal affairs". • : On 11 October, Nigerian Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General
Sani Abacha said that Nigeria was pleased to see that the Chinese government had successfully quelled the unrest involving foreign interference. • : On 12 September, Paul Ngatse, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central and Minister of Information, highly praised the Chinese government for "quelling the counter-revolutionary riots that occurred in Beijing". • : On 19 October, Rwandan President
Juvénal Habyarimana said that the Chinese government's "suppression of the counter-revolutionary riots in Beijing" was an internal affair of China, and no other country should impose its will on the Chinese government. • : On 29 June, Foreign Minister Carlos Graça said that his visit to China was to express São Tomé and Príncipe's determination to strengthen friendly relations with China; to express its belief that the Chinese Party, government and people have the right and ability to solve their own problems; and to express its support for China's reform and opening up and its independent foreign policy. • : On 12 September, Lieutenant General
Omar al-Bashir, Chairman of the Sudanese Revolutionary Command Council and Prime Minister, expressed satisfaction with the Chinese government's suppression of the "counter-revolutionary riots". • : On 24 July, Togolese President
Gnassingbé Eyadéma said that the recent events in the Chinese capital were China's internal affairs and that no country should interfere in them according to the UN Charter. He emphasized that non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is a universal principle and hoped that the situation in China would remain stable. • : On 24 September, Tunisian Foreign Minister Abdelhamid Escheikh expressed his understanding of the events that occurred in Beijing, the capital of China, in June this year, believing that it was entirely China's internal affair and that foreign countries should not interfere. On 22 October, Gombumbo Fum wa Utadi, Executive Secretary of the Central Committee for Foreign Relations, conveyed Mobutu's warm congratulations to
Jiang Zemin on his appointment as General Secretary of Chinese Communist Party and his support for China's suppression of the protests, and highly praised the great achievements made by the People's Republic of China in the 40 years since its founding. • : On 3 July, the ruling
ZANU–PF political bureau member and foreign minister
Nathan Shamuyarira said that the Zimbabwean party and government were pleased with the stable situation after China "quelled the counter-revolutionary riots". He said that Zimbabwe respects China's independence and sovereignty and that the Chinese people have the right to choose the path and policies they believe are correct. On 3 August, Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe said that Zimbabwe supports the measures taken by China to "quell the counter-revolutionary riots". On 3 August, acting foreign minister Mangwandi said that Zimbabwe fully understands China's position against foreign interference in its internal affairs. On 4 August, Parliament Speaker
Didymus Mutasa said that he opposed including China's domestic issues as a supplementary agenda item for the 82nd Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting to be held in September. He said that the meeting had no right to discuss the internal affairs of a country.
Asia • : President
Hussain Muhammad Ershad said that Bangladesh has been watching the developments in China closely. He said that the recent events in China are "purely China’s internal affairs" and should not be interfered with by foreign powers. He expressed his appreciation for China's "end to the turmoil and rapid resumption of normal production", and said that Bangladesh will always be a friend of China and hopes that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will continue to develop. On 23 August, Foreign Minister
Anisul Islam Mahmud said that he was pleased to see the situation in China return to normal and stable, and believed that under the leadership of the current leaders of China, China will move further towards prosperity and the friendship between Bangladesh and China will be further developed. Opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi condemned them, saying: "We deplore it. It
happened in Burma and we wanted the world to stand by Burma, so we stand by the Chinese students." • : The military action severely affected perceptions of China. 200,000 people protested against the Chinese government's response, with the latter considering the protests as "subversive". The people of Hong Kong hoped that the chaos on China would destabilize the Beijing Government and thus avert its reunification with the rest of China. The
Sino-British Joint Declaration was also called into question. Demonstrations continued for several days, and wreaths were placed outside the
Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch. The
Communist Party of India (Marxist) was the only political party in the world to pass a resolution, hailing the crackdown on the protests, describing them as 'an imperialist attempt to internally subvert socialism, [which] was successfully thwarted by the CPC and the PLA.'
Sitaram Yechury, now the CPI(M) General Secretary, proclaimed in 1989 at
Jawaharlal Nehru University that “Not a drop of blood was shed at Tiananmen Square.” • : On 8 June, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Sudomo said “Despite the recent political turmoil in Beijing, the talks between Indonesia and China on the normalization of relations will continue.” On 12 June, Minister of State Mudiono said that the recent situation in China would not affect the process of normalizing diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China. On 22 June, Indonesian Foreign Minister
Ali Alatas said that the recent events in China would not affect the process of normalizing relations between Indonesia and China and that “What is happening in China now is China’s internal affair. China has its own considerations and its own environment. We hope that these two things will not affect each other.” On 22 August, Minister of State Mudiono said that no obstacle could stop the normalization of relations between China and Indonesia. • : On 7 October, Iranian Foreign Minister
Ali Akbar Velayati expressed his understanding of "China’s firm stance in dealing with the unrest and counter-revolutionary riots" and supported "the measures taken by China to restore order and achieve stability". • : On 10 August, Iraqi National Assembly Chairman Sa'adi Mahdi Salih said that Iraq understood the Chinese government's actions. • : The
Japanese government called the response "intolerable" and froze loans to China. On 5 June, Prime Minister
Sōsuke Uno said "I am deeply concerned about the heavy casualties caused by the martial law troops' violent suppression in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. I hope the situation can stabilize." Starting 6 June, he instructed staff from the offices of
Sanwa Bank,
Daiwa Bank,
The Sumitomo Bank,
Nippon Life,
Panasonic,
Seibu Department Store, and
Mitsukoshi Corporation in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an to return to Japan; a total of 1,163 people returned that day. On 6 June, the Federation of Japanese Bankers Associations announced the freezing of two loans to China, amounting to $145 million. On the same day, opposition parties the
Japanese Socialist Party,
Komeito, and the
Democratic Socialist Party issued statements of condemnation. On 7 June, Prime Minister Uno stated that the government cannot turn its guns on its own people and summoned the Chinese ambassador to convey the government's strong stance. In the afternoon, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "the actions of the Chinese government are unacceptable from a humanitarian perspective." On the same day, Chinese martial law troops opened fire on the apartments of diplomatic personnel, resulting in shootings at the residences of three Japanese embassy staff, leading the foreign ministry to lodge a strong protest. 1,774 Japanese citizens left Beijing that day. Chief Cabinet Secretary
Masajuro Shiokawa recommended that Japanese citizens in Beijing seek refuge and implemented two policies: "First, provide emergency aid such as medicine through the Red Cross ; second, extend the visas of Chinese students in Japan." On 8 June, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced that China would be designated a special country, requiring approval for the export of every shipment. On 20 June, the Japanese government announced a freeze on $5.7 billion in loans to China, an action "equivalent to suspending all aid to China." In the
July 1989 House of Councillors election, the image of the
Japanese Communist Party declined because of this incident. As a result, the party issued a statement on the same day criticizing China for undermining socialist democracy. Japan was also the first member of the
G7 to restore high level relations with China in the following months. From 11 September, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to formally lift restrictions on visits to China for Japanese tourists and company employees. According to diplomatic documents from around 1989 released by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23 December 2020, the Japanese government decided on 4 June to maintain friendly relations with China and oppose Western sanctions against China. • : On 11 September, the Jordanian newspaper
Ad-Dustour published an article entitled “The Lesson from China” written by Fayez Jaber Amin, Secretary General of the Jerusalem Affairs Committee, criticizing the Western media for distorting reports on the student incident in China. • : Kuwait voiced understanding of the measures taken by the Chinese authorities to protect social stability. On 1 October, the
Kuwait Times published an article criticizing the economic sanctions imposed on China by Western countries and urging them to re-examine their policies toward China. The article said that Western countries were unwilling to impose economic sanctions on South African racism, and that taking such measures against China would not bring them any credibility. It said that any attempt to deny China's contribution to the cause of justice and freedom in the world is doomed to failure; the reports by Western media on what happened in China in early June were exaggerated and irresponsible, with more speculation than facts in these reports. 150,000 protested in Macau. • : On 8 June, Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad said “We have no intention of interfering in their internal affairs. However, we regret the fighting that has caused the deaths of many people, especially many young people.” On 21 June, Deputy Foreign Minister Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said that Malaysia has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries in the recent unrest in China. • : The government of Mongolia expressed regret over the actions of the Chinese government. Many reformists and activists, including
Davaadorjiin Ganbold,
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj Sanjaasürengiin Zorig,
Erdeniin Bat-Üül and Dogmidiin Sosorbaram had been aware of the international reaction to the military action, and chose to follow the democratic changes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. • : On 6 June the
Korean Central News Agency stated that North Korea "Supports the government of the People's Republic of China in suppressing the riots." On 11 and 22 June, the
Rodong Sinmun published articles condemning the United States for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. On 11 August,
Kim Yong-sun stated that the
Workers' Party of Korea and the government firmly support the measures taken by China. On 23 August, Vice Premier Jeong Jun-ki, said that North Korea considers China's quelling of the counter-revolutionary riots in Beijing to be a revolutionary, decisive, and correct action, and stated that North Korea firmly opposes some Western countries taking advantage of China's quelling of the counter-revolutionary riots to launch an anti-China wave. On 30 August, Politburo member
Ho Dam praised China's actions. On 24 September, North Korean leader
Kim Il Sung, said that "some imperialists attempted to subvert the People's Republic of China by various means, but the Communist Party of China took decisive measures to restore social order". On 1 October, the
Rodong Sinmun published an editorial entitled "Forty Years of Victory for the Chinese People," which praised China for its "victory in suppressing the counter-revolutionary riots". On 6 October, Foreign Minister
Kim Yong-nam said China's suppression "once again powerfully proved that no force could stop the Chinese people, led by the Communist Party, from advancing victoriously under the banner of socialism." On 13 October, North Korean Premier
Yon Hyong-muk emphasized that China's suppression of the protests "fully demonstrated the power and vitality of the Chinese Communist Party". • : On 17 October, North Yemeni Prime Minister
Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani expressed his pleasure at China's "stabilization following the suppression of the counter-revolutionary riots", and at "China's continued adherence to its independent foreign policy of peace and its commitment to reform and opening up". On October 29,
Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi, Speaker of the Consultative Council of the Yemeni Arab Republic, expressed his pleasure at the "stability of the situation following China's suppression of the riots". Socialist labor organization
Kilusang Mayo Uno at first initially supported the action taken by Chinese authorities, though later issued a "rectified position" which blamed "insufficient information and improper decision making process". The Communist Party also expressed opposition due to its line considering China as "Revisionist" after renouncing Maoism and reviving Capitalism. • : The Singapore government condemned the situation in China, stating "In this incident, the lives of all intellectuals should be cherished". Prime Minister
Lee Kuan Yew, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet, said they were shocked and saddened by the response of the Chinese government, adding that "we had expected the Chinese government to apply the doctrine of minimum force when an army is used to quell
civil disorder." On 14 June, Singapore's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
Goh Chok Tong said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China would proceed as planned. On 15 June, Goh Chok Tong said that despite the recent unrest in Beijing, Singapore would continue to strengthen its private economic ties with China. • : South Korea was in the midst of efforts to develop relations with the People's Republic of China and President
Roh Tae-woo remained quiet in the aftermath of the crackdown. On 5 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "grave concern" and hoped for no further deterioration of the situation. The statement also encouraged dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully. On 19 June, Foreign Minister Choi Ho-jung said that although the political situation in China was currently turbulent, the basic policy of China to seek stability on the Korean Peninsula remained unchanged; as Deng Xiaoping and other hardliners were still in power, it was expected that the political situation in the People's Republic of China would stabilize quickly. Choi Ho-jung also said that he believed that the People's Republic of China would continue to expand its economic and other non-political contacts with South Korea; although South Korea and the People's Republic of China did not have diplomatic relations, they were negotiating the issue of exchanging trade officials after they had successfully expanded their contacts in aviation, shipping, tourism, fisheries and joint ventures. At the same time, South Korea suspended negotiations on establishing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China for a year until 24 August 1992. On 2 August, China demanded that the South Korean government handed over Major Zuo Xiukai, a PLA officer who had crossed the border between North and South Korea, and his wife. Zuo Xiukai, who was a member of the Chinese delegation to the United Nations Armistice Military Commission, asked South Korea to allow him to seek asylum in the United States. • : On 30 August, Sri Lankan President
Ranasinghe Premadasa said he understood the measures taken by the Chinese government in "quelling the counter-revolutionary riots in Beijing". On 1 September,
Abdullah al-Ahmar, assistant secretary-general of the National Command of the
Syrian Ba'ath Party, condemned some Western countries for "launching a propaganda campaign against China, interfering in China’s internal affairs, and attempting to use rioters to overthrow China’s socialist regime". On 22 September, Foreign Minister
Farouk al-Sharaa said that he was very pleased with China's "successful suppression of the riots in June this year" and that Syrian leaders fully understand the measures taken by the Chinese leaders to "safeguard the interests of the Chinese people". He said that the situation shows that some countries have blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs and that ithas been proven that there are foreign forces behind the student leaders who are trying to achieve the political goal of changing China's social system. • : President
Lee Teng-hui issued a statement on 4 June strongly condemning the Chinese communist response: "Early this morning, Chinese communist troops finally used military force to attack the students and others demonstrating peacefully for democracy and freedom in Tiananmen Square in Peking, resulting in heavy casualties and loss of life. Although we anticipated this mad action of the Chinese communists beforehand, it still has moved us to incomparable grief, indignation and shock." He also said that “The inhumane practices adopted by the CCP will be judged by history. In protest against the CCP’s violent suppression of the democratic movement, I, Teng-hui, with the deepest sorrow, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, call on all countries and people around the world who love freedom and value human rights to condemn the CCP’s atrocities in the strongest terms, provide all possible support to our compatriots on the mainland, and make a complete break with the CCP.” The
Ministry of National Defense ordered on the same day that “all military personnel should return to their posts and immediately enter into combat readiness deployment.” The Executive Yuan also announced four special measures to support the democratic movement, including: issuing Republic of China passports to overseas students and scholars who renounced their mainland passports; and providing tuition and living allowances to these students and scholars. The authorities also lifted a ban on telephone communications to encourage private contacts and counter the
news blackout on the PRC. • : On 17 December,
Emirate of Sharjah Ruler
Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi said he understands the Chinese government's "actions to quell the unrest" and opposes "foreign interference in China's internal affairs".
Europe • : On 5 June, President
Kurt Waldheim, Chancellor
Franz Vranitzky, and Foreign Minister
Alois Mock issued statements expressing "extreme shock at the Beijing incident" and demanding that Chinese leaders immediately cease using the military and resolve the situation peacefully. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador to Austria that day, instructing him to convey the Austrian government's protest, cancel the welcoming ceremony for Chinese Justice Minister
Cai Cheng who was visiting Austria, and close the Beijing representative offices of companies such as Voestalpine and Airlin. • : Belgium's government cancelled a scheduled ministerial meeting on the 6th between two ministers of state and Chinese Minister of Economy and Trade
Zheng Tuobin. On 28 September. French Foreign Minister Dumas spoke on behalf of the European Community at the United Nations General Assembly, saying that the June 4 crackdown was a violation of human rights. At a hearing of the French National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee on 18 October, Dumas replied that France had not changed its approach to political asylum seekers. As a place of asylum and reception, France does not allow political activities against governments that have diplomatic relations with France to take place on its territory. • : On 5 June the
Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing deep regret over the violent conflict and casualties, and hoping that the events in China would not lead to a dead end for the democratic process. The ruling
PASOK, the largest opposition party
New Democracy, the
Communist Party of Greece, the Left Party of Greece, and the Greek Democratic Party all issued statements of condemnation on the same day, and more than 3,000 Greeks protested at the Chinese Embassy in Athens. • : The
Dutch government froze diplomatic relations with China, and summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires Li Qin Ping expressing shock at the "violent and brutal actions of the People's Liberation Army." Sweden canceled Defense Minister Carlsson's visit to Beijing on the 5th, and also canceled former Chinese President and then Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Li Xiannian 's visit to Sweden. On the 8th, the Swedish Foreign Ministry froze aid to China. On 6 June, she said in the
House of Commons that “This bloodshed shows that the Communist Party is always ready to impose its will on simple-minded people by force,... Obviously, it is impossible for (Britain) to continue normal relations with China,” and said out that she could not see how to contact the Chinese government about the future of Hong Kong. The Mirror Group stopped publishing the official English-language newspaper
China Daily in Europe from 7 June. Howe said in a speech in the House of Commons on 13 June that the recent events in China had not rendered the
Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Hong Kong Question ineffective. On 17 June, the UK announced the postponement of the 13th meeting of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, originally scheduled to be held in London from 18 to 21 July 1989. • : The sister party of the ruling party in East Germany, the
SEW, criticized the crackdown. Thus, the SEW deviated officially from the course of the SED for the first time. Following pressure from the SED, however, the SEW office then presented an "oral supplement" at the 13th session of the executive committee, in which the events in VRC were again evaluated in the sense of the SED.
Eastern bloc depicting a destroyed bicycle and a tank track is a symbol of the Tiananmen Square protests • : Albania supported the Chinese government's crackdown on the protests. • : The Bulgarian government supported China's "measures to stabilize its domestic situation" and opposed "foreign interference in China’s internal affairs". • : The government of the
German Democratic Republic approved of the military action. East German leader
Erich Honecker said that "The use of force to suppress counter-revolutionaries is right." On 8 June the
Volkskammer unanimously passed a statement which said that "the German Democratic Republic and the People's Republic of China are friendly brother countries. Both countries will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their founding in October. The members of the Volkskammer believe that under the current circumstances, the intention of the Party and government of the People's Republic of China to resolve the issue through political means is hindered by unconstitutional forces. Therefore, the people's government is forced to use armed forces to maintain social order and public safety, resulting in casualties. The Volkskammer of the German Democratic Republic regards the Beijing incident as an internal affair of the People's Republic of China and opposes any form of foreign interference. The representatives of the Volkskammer of the Democratic Republic firmly believe that the Chinese government and people will work together to clarify the facts and continue on the socialist path freely chosen 40 years ago." On 11 June, East German Foreign Minister Oscar Fischer reiterated the position of East Germany as stated in the 8 June statement of the Volkskammer on the current situation in China, expressing his firm belief that the Chinese people will be able to solve the problems they face and continue to advance along the socialist path. Politburo member
Joachim Herrmann reiterated the views and positions stated in the 8 June statement in his report to the eighth plenary session of the 11th Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party on 22 June pointing out that what happened in Beijing was purely China's internal affair and opposing any foreign interference. High-ranking politicians from the SED party, including
Hans Modrow,
Günter Schabowski and
Egon Krenz, were in China shortly afterward on a goodwill visit. In contrast, members of the general population, including ordinary SED party members, participated in protests against the actions of the Chinese government. • : The
Hungarian government, which was undergoing political reform, reacted strongly to the incident. The Foreign Minister described the events as a "horrible tragedy", and the government expressed "shock", adding that "fundamental human rights could not be exclusively confined to the internal affairs of any country." On 5 June, State Minister
Imre Pozsgay and Foreign Minister Gyula Horn said that “the Beijing incident is very regrettable and also serves as a serious warning to us. We must take all measures to ensure that no regime can use such means to consolidate its conservative rule and dictatorship.” The Hungarian government said that “this tragedy proves how important the spirit of tolerance and responsibility for the fate of the nation is for politicians exercising power in the process of reform, and how necessary it is for the government to establish laws that guarantee basic human rights.” On the 7th, the Hungarian government said that “using weapons and violence” is meaningless and cannot solve the problem. “Respect for basic human rights is the common cause and international obligation of each of us. No country can regard it as an absolute internal affair.” That afternoon, Gross, General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party, issued a statement: “First, we strongly condemn violence and war between brothers. This method is incompatible with socialism. Second, I sincerely hope that reason will prevail and that we will return to the path of peaceful construction as soon as possible.” The Hungarian Foreign Minister described the incident as a “terrible tragedy.” Demonstrations were held outside the Chinese embassy. Hungary was the only country in Europe to have substantially reduced relations with China in the aftermath of the events. • : The
Polish government criticised the response of the Chinese government but not the government itself. A government spokesman called the incident "tragic", with "sincere sympathy for the families of those killed and injured." On 6 June, a spokesperson for the Polish government said: "Polish society and authorities learned of the tragic events in Beijing with deep concern. We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the dead and injured." "We believe that the Chinese will not resort to force as in the past... Reason and realism will prevail, and China's reform process and its international status will not be weakened." On 13 June, Polish leader
Wojciech Jaruzelski said "China is a vast and mysterious country. I can only feel sorry for what happened." Regarding military control, "We only have reason to make such a decision when the very foundation of the country is threatened." • :
Nicolae Ceauşescu praised the military action, and in a reciprocal move, China sent
Qiao Shi to the Romanian Communist Party Congress in August 1989, at which Ceauşescu was re-elected. • : General Secretary
Mikhail Gorbachev did not explicitly condemn the actions, but called for reform. On 6 June, the
Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union issued a "Statement on the Chinese Incident" stating "No matter how intense the emotions may be at times, it is important to patiently seek a suitable political solution determined by the goal of social unity" and that "The events currently unfolding in China are an internal affair of that country. Any attempt by other parties to exert pressure is inappropriate. Such attempts will only escalate emotions and will by no means promote stability." It continued "We sincerely hope that the friendly Chinese people can turn the page on this tragic chapter of their history as soon as possible." On 9 June, Soviet government spokesman
Gennadi Gerasimov said "We were extremely shocked that such a thing happened" and that "We have been unable to contact the Chinese capital by telephone since the violence in Beijing last weekend." There was an interest on building relations on a recent summit in
Beijing, but the events fueled discussion on human rights and Soviet foreign policy. There was some private criticism of the Chinese response. On 15 June, Mikhail Gorbachev said “We are all very uneasy about the situation in China. We are all worried about whether the process of profound reform and transformation of this great country will be interrupted,” and pointed out that the massacre had a negative impact on the improvement of the international situation. • : The
Presidency of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia issued a statement expressing regret over the tragic events and the loss of innocent lives, and expressing concern that China's economic and political reforms might be halted. The statement expressed hope that China would resolve the crisis through political efforts and open dialogue, and work with all democratic and progressive forces to ensure the continuation of economic and social reforms. On 8 June, Yugoslav Foreign Minister
Budimir Lončar stated that "the conflict between economic openness and its consequences has affected China's socio-political trends, and they have not been valued equally by everyone." He added that "regardless of which development ideology prevails in China, developments in China will inevitably affect its international relations, and the country is facing difficult times." The national news agency
Tanjug in the
non-aligned country said the protest became a "symbol of destroyed illusions and also a symbol of sacrificed ideals which have been cut off by machine gun volleys and squashed under the caterpillars of heavy vehicles." The U.S. government issued green cards to all Chinese citizens who stayed in the U.S. between 4 June 1989 and 11 April 1990. The U.S. Congress passed the
Chinese Students Protection Act of 1992 for this purpose. George Washington University revealed that, through high-level secret channels on 30 June 1989, the US government conveyed to the government of the People's Republic of China that the events around the Tiananmen Square protests were an "internal affair". U.S. public opinion of China dropped significantly after the Tiananmen Square protests, from 72% having favorable opinions of China before the Tiananmen Protests to only 34% in August 1989.
Oceania • : The Prime Minister,
Bob Hawke, wept at a memorial service in the Great Hall in Parliament and canceled his previously agreed-upon visit to China. The
Australian government granted Chinese students a four-year asylum to stay in Australia. • : On the afternoon of the 6th, Prime Minister
David Lange announced that "The Cabinet has decided to ask Foreign Minister
Russell Marshall to summon Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Ni Zhengjian and tell him that the New Zealand government is disgusted by the bloodshed in Beijing." The visit of the Minister of Police to China, originally scheduled for 20 June, was cancelled, and contact between New Zealand government ministers and Chinese government representatives was suspended. The Cabinet also called on its citizens not to travel to China. On 31 August, Foreign Minister
Julio Londoño said that Colombia had been paying close attention to the recent events in China. He revealed that although the Colombian government was under pressure from certain groups at home and abroad, President Barco's government still insisted on the existing friendly relations between Colombia and China and opposed foreign interference in China's internal affairs. • : Cuba supported the government of China. On 30 September, the
Communist Party of Cuba's central organ newspaper
Granma published an article praising the achievements of the People's Republic of China in socialist construction over the past forty years. The article, entitled “Overcoming Difficulties”, pointed out that since 1 October 1949, the Chinese people, having broken the shackles of colonialism, began the road of socialist construction and opened a new chapter in their lives. In the forty years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese people have worked hard and overcome all kinds of great difficulties. The article said, “At present, when imperialism is fueling the counter-revolutionary backlash in socialist countries, we appreciate the position of the fraternal Chinese people and the Chinese Communist Party in defending socialist construction.” • : On 5 September, Peruvian House Speaker
Fernando León de Vivero said that the Peruvian people were "deeply worried when a few Western countries took advantage of the recent events in China to stir up an anti-China wave and attempt to overthrow the legitimate government of China". He said, “Now we are satisfied to see that the Chinese government has restored its authority and sovereignty.” He also said, “For China, the worst moment has passed.” On 11 September, Peruvian Prime Minister Luis Alberto Narváez Acosta said that he was satisfied with China's adherence to the reform and opening-up policy and said, “I am satisfied with the Chinese government’s ability to quickly quell the riots and announce its adherence to the reform and opening-up policy.” • : On 1 September, Venezuelan President
Carlos Andrés Pérez said he understood the Chinese government's measures to "quell the unrest" and believed that China had the right to decide its own affairs. Pérez expressed his belief that China, under the leadership of the new Party Central Committee, would continue to move forward along the path of reform and opening up. ==Reaction of Chinese in North America, Hong Kong and Taiwan==