17 May:
Square is cancelled because of the numbers of fasting students and onlookers on the square (Xinhua 16.5.89).
Deng meets Gorbachev, signifying formal normalisation of relations. Last appearance by
Deng.
Li Peng meets Gorbachev and says "people in socialist countries should enjoy freedom, democracy and human rights. China is prepared to improve this aspect of its political reform." (AFP 16.5.89)
10 Presidents of universities in Peking issue letter expressing concern for the students and the process of reform and urge that dialogue is the only correct choice. (Peking radio 16.5.89)
Yan Mingfu goes to Tiananmen Square to urge hunger-strikers to give up the strike and return to their campuses (Xinhua 16.5.89)
Over 3,000 students on hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, over 1,700 had received medical treatment by 17 May (Xinhua 17.5.89).
Over one million people march to Tiananmen Square in support of hunger-strikers, including students, workers, teachers, scientists, journalists. 1,000 men from PLA General Logistics Department take part (Hong Kong, Hsin Wan Pao 17.5.89).
Gorbachev's visit to Forbidden City cancelled because major streets are jammed by processions in support of students on hunger strike (Zhongguo Xinwen She 17.5.89).
Open letter is issued by thousands of journalists addressed to the CCP Central Committee and the State Council claiming "The situation is critical. The country is in a desperate state" and urging Zhao Ziyang and Li Peng to go on to Tiananmen Square to see the hunger-strikers and "meet their reasonable demands" (Zhongguo Tongxun She, Hong Kong 18.5.89).
Students flood in to Peking from other cities in China at the rate of 50,000 a day. The students travel free with the support of
VC3ASH
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