Tian An Men Closed on 2nd Anniversary of Student Revolt

BEIJING — Soldiers closed Beijing’s Tian An Men Square to the public today, the second anniversary of the start of an army assault on the Chinese capital to crush a pro-democracy movement, and gunfire boomed across the square--but this time in a ceremonial salute for a visiting dignitary.

Where tanks and soldiers fired live ammunition into crowds on the night of June 3 and 4, 1989, the 21-gun welcoming salute today was for Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley.

An array of eight artillery pieces was drawn up at the base of the Monument to the People’s Heroes in the center of the square, where in 1989 the last of the student protesters leading the pro-democracy movement had stayed before the army moved in.

Men of the People’s Armed Police militia closed the 100-acre square to the public this morning, but officials said it would be reopened later.

Manley laid a wreath at the monument before beginning talks with Premier Li Peng.

Two years ago, tanks and soldiers cleared the streets around Tian An Men Square with heavy loss of life.

The government, in its official history of what it calls the 1989 turmoil, says 3,000 civilians were wounded in the assault and more than 200 killed, including 36 college students.

Dissidents, diplomats and eyewitnesses to the events say the death toll was much higher, with possibly thousands killed.