Secret U.K. Diplomatic Cable Claims That 10,000 Were Killed During China's 1989 Tiananmen Crackdown

Beijing residents gathering around the smoking remains of over 20 armoured personnel carriers burned by demonstrators during clashes with soldiers near Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

BBC: Tiananmen Square protest death toll 'was 10,000'

The Chinese army crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests killed at least 10,000 people, according to newly-released UK documents.

The figure was given in a secret diplomatic cable from then British ambassador to China, Alan Donald.

The original source was a friend of a member of China's State Council, the envoy says.

Previous estimates of the deaths in the pro-democracy protests ranged from several hundred to more than 1,000.

China's statement at the end of June 1989 said that 200 civilians and several dozen security personnel had died in Beijing following the suppression of "counter-revolutionary riots" on 4 June 1989.

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WNU Editor: Even though this massacre occurred 28 and a half years ago .... it refuses to go away. At the time my Chinese sources told me that less than 1,000 protesters were killed, and a few thousand wounded. As to this British cable claiming ten thousand were killed .... I could be wrong, but that number seems very high to me.

More News On A Secret U.K. Diplomatic Cable That Claims That 10,000 Were Killed During China's 1989 Tiananmen Crackdown

At least 10000 killed at Tiananmen Square, secret cable claims -- NEWS.com.au
10,000 killed in China’s 1989 Tiananmen crackdown: British archive -- Al Arabiya/AFP
Secret cable: 10,000 killed in China's 1989 Tiananmen crackdown -- DW
New documents: Tiananmen Square protest death toll was 10000 -- UPI