Key events

1949 Victory for People's army

What began life as a ragtag guerrilla outfit grew into an effective military force during China's civil war. Throughout 1949, the People's Liberation Army swept through China ultimately pushing Nationalist forces off the mainland.

4 June 1989 Tiananmen Square

After days of growing tension, under orders from Deng Xiaoping and elders in China's ruling party the People's Liberation Army and police were ordered into Tiananmen Square to clear away pro-democracy protesters. Hundreds were killed.

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