LI XIANNIAN
Li was one of the leaders urging force to repress the demonstration. He was particularly offended by the Chinese students carrying the large “Statue of Liberty,” believing that this was an overt attempt to destabilize China. This was not known till the publication of the so-called “Tiananmen Square Papers” in 2001. The Chinese government claimed that these were forgeries.
Li Xiannian was a Chinese Communist military and political leader, President of the People's Republic of China (de jure head of state) from 1983 to 1988 under Paramount Leader Deng Xiaoping and then Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 1988 until his death. He was a full member of the Politburo from 1956 to 1987, and of its Standing Committee from 1977 to 1987.
