Government and student tension in China: A study of the student movements in the 1980's

Scope and method of study. The purpose of this study was to investigate historically the tension between the Chinese government and the students and its impact on the student movements in the 1980's. Attention was first given to the historical background of Chinese politics, higher education and the students and then to the chronology and examination of the development of the tension between the government and the students in the 1980's.; Findings and conclusions. The political reforms and the student democratic movements over these ten years revealed the fundamental tension and conflicts between the government and the students as to how to run China. The students and intellectuals believed that the ills of China could be resolved only through the fundamental political changes and that these changes should take place sooner rather than later. The leadership felt it should first safeguard the unity and stability of the country and also maintain its power. The 1980, 1986 and 1989 student movements resulted because of this conflict. In the years to come, there will be a visible battle over economic development and political control as well as a battle over legitimacy, faith and power.