L.: Jane's information Group., 1989. - 129 p.
This book reflects on the way in which the Old Guard reached the top of the People's Liberation
Army through political position and influence rather than through military skills. Many have been
waiting for this chance to show that they are still needed to defend the Party and the status quo.
It has been impossible to split down the Group Armies and their commanders into political
groupings, but rather we have found that personal position and relationships (including family ties)
have been responsible for the events in Tiananmen Square. Even so. our contributors have chosen
to use terms like "more liberal" when the occasion justifies and the less violent approach of certain
PLA formations.
We have also found evidence of a large number of favours being called in by the veterans of the
Long March who have found it so much easier to crack down on 'counter-revolutionaries' than the
younger, better trained (in Western eyes) commanders.
To try and understand this phenomenon, this book looks behind the scenes at the role of the PLA
in Tiananmen Square, describes the background to the events by examining the history. philosophy,
politics, personalities, rank structure and order of battle of the PLA.
In this book, we have endeavoured to present a factual account of the events in May and June 1989.
To describe and analyse those events and place them into a w ider context, particularly in respect
of China's neighbours. We have draw n on a multitude of sources, using the talents of widely
respected China watchers and commentators like Clare Hollingworth. Gerald Segal and G Jacobs.
We have included a graphic account of the fateful night of 3/4 June from Jonathan Mirsky of The
OhseiTer newspaper which cannot fail to shock. We make no apology for such dramatic writing
because dramatic events generate emotions which are relevant if put into the correct context.
The in-house specialist team at Jane's would like to thank all who have assisted with producing
this special study in record time. As the events unfolded day-by-day, it became obvious to us that
the situation needed to be accurately recorded and anaylsed. We hope that CHINA IN CRISIS : The
Role of the Military is a credible document.
