CBS NEWS: TIANANMEN SQUARE COVERAGE COMPILATION (TV)
Summary
A compilation of CBS News reports, predominantly anchored by Dan Rather, detailing the events that led to the 1989 massacre in China's Tiananmen Square. First, as part of a CBS special, "The New Face of Communism," Rather reports live from Tiananmen Gate in Beijing on the fate of the world communist movement as the two "communist giants" -- the Soviet Union and China -- meet for the first time since 1959 as hunger-striking students and their supporters take to the streets. Next, Bruce Morton profiles the "new sons and daughters of heaven," the students that seek to change the face of communism via democracy reforms. Morton looks at the rigid college education system as well as the students ramshackle living and dining conditions. Then, Charles Kuralt reports on Plum Valley, a rural community fifty miles from Beirut, where peasants still work in misery due to the effects of Mao Zedong's communism. Next, John Sheahan reports live from Beijing on Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's meeting with Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev to further endorse the communist system, all the while as demonstrators take to the streets protesting for democracy. Then, Rather further reports on Gorbachev and Deng's meeting and the hunger strikers outside. Next, Rather and Kuralt, at the Great Wall of China, briefly analyze Gorbachev's visit and how Deng is trying to accomplish a "second revolution." Then, Susan Spencer reports on Shenzhen, Deng's "free enterprise gamble" across from Hong Kong -- a special experimental city set up to test capitalist economics. Then, Bob Simon reports on primitive farming methods in Shensi sheng, a poor province in northwest China, once known as the "heartland" of Mao's revolution. Next, Rather reports live from Beijing on the "biggest demonstration" in Chinese history -- as protesters and hunger strikers continue to push for democracy. Meanwhile, Gorbachev and his wife Raisa visited the Great Wall before speaking with Chinese academics and then addressing the subject of the demonstrations at a later news conference. Next, Rather reports on the Chinese Communist leaders making an attempt to "dialogue" with the protesting students. Later, "millions" flocked to Tiananmen Square to demonstrate, despite the tremendous monsoon-like weather conditions. Then, Rather reports on Gorbachev's return to Moscow after the "historic and tumultuous summit" in China. Then, Kuralt reports live from the "genuine popular uprising" in Tiananmen Square. Next, in a "48 Hours" piece, "China Rebellion," Rather reports live from Beijing on "people power in the People's Republic." Rather reports on more than a million people filling Tiananmen Square, trying to bring an end to communism. Then, Barry Petersen reports on Chinese television's coverage of the ongoing events, with "freedom of the press" showing a marked change since policies instituted in Mao's reign. Then, a report, "China Syndrome," looks at how China's largest city, Shanghai, is getting caught up in the fervor of Beijing's happenings. Next, Rather speaks with Lesley Stahl, live from Kennebunkport, and Bill Plante, live from Washington, about President George H.W. Bush's thoughts on the ongoing events. Stahl notes that the White House reaction has been silence, though official spokesmen have "privately" commented on their gratitude that Gorbachev, not Bush, was upstaged in Beijing during the demonstration. Next, live from Beijing, Rather and author Betty Bao Lord speak about whether the Chinese government's patience has run out during these "historic" events. Then, Rather reports on the Chinese demonstrators reaching their "critical hour" as Deng threatens to end the demonstrations by midnight, with the army moving into place. After the midnight deadline passes, Premier Li Peng appears on television trying to end the "anarchy" by declaring "a kind of martial law." Then, Petersen reports on "people power" preventing Inner Mongolian army troops from approaching the protesting students. Then, Rather reports on the protesters "hanging tough" as the army continues to near. Then, in a "CBS News Special Report," Spencer, live from Beijing, reports on the recently declared martial law before CBS's transmission from Tiananmen Square is cut off by the Chinese government. Spencer further reports on the "news blackout" with Rather live on the scene. Next, Rather reports on the videotaped coverage of the army attempting to get to Tiananmen Square earlier in the day. Rather further reports on his broadcast getting shut down by China's Foreign Ministry. Then, Spencer reports on the "Mardi Gras"-like protests in Beijing, as army troops have still not arrived in Tiananmen Square. Next, in a "CBS News Sunday Morning" segment, Kuralt reports on the Chinese people continuing to hold back army forces by the overwhelming number of demonstrators before recapping the events that began when Gorbachev's visit brought international attention toward the country. Then, Kuralt reports on pre-dawn events of the day before as authorities attempted to empty Tiananmen Square and end the demonstrations. Kuralt further recaps when helicopters flew over the square, their intent ambiguous. Next, Richard Roth reports on the "fast-changing" situation in Tiananmen Square as gunfire erupts. Next, Roth further reports on the latest in the "momentous events" happening in Beijing -- as it is believed that at least 500 people died in a Tiananmen Square bloodbath. Then, audiotape is played of Roth being taken away by Chinese soldiers. Next, in a "60 Minutes" segment, Mike Wallace reports on the "darkest hours" of China's student protest still continuing. Rather reports on the "terrible reality" as tanks patrol the now serene streets of Beijing before recapping how the situation escalated to the current point due to the weekend's activities. Rather also offers an update on Roth being freed after his earlier detention by the military. Next, Rather reports on the "specter of an all-out civil war" in China, and the possibility of a military coup. Sheahan reports from Beijing on China's army continuing to hold down Tiananmen Square in defensive positions. Then, Rather discusses the possible casualty numbers from the ongoing events, ranging from three hundred to three thousand. Then, Roth reports on a man who defiantly stood in front of eighteen army tanks for three minutes. Roth further reports on the disturbing tale of a twelve-year-old boy shot by angered soldiers. Next, Simon reports on the Chinese government now trying to kill the spirit of the resistance as still footage shows the army's butchery. Simon also reports on Chinese citizens' fear of Westerners in light of the government's threats. Finally, in a "CBS New Sunday Morning" segment anchored by Kuralt, the events of the Tiananmen Square protests are summarized by pictures.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: 1989
- RUNNING TIME: 1:40:13
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:18428
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Lesley Stahl)
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1989
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dan Rather … Anchor, Reporter
- Bruce Morton … Reporter
- Charles Kuralt … Reporter
- Bob Simon … Reporter
- Susan Spencer … Reporter
- Barry Petersen … Reporter
- Lesley Stahl … Reporter
- Bill Plante … Reporter
- Mike Wallace … Reporter
- Richard Roth … Reporter
- John Sheahan … Reporter
- Bette Bao Lord … Guest
- George H.W. Bush
- Deng Xiaoping
- Mikhail Gorbachev
- Raisa Gorbachev
- Li Peng
- Mao Zedong