China Defense Chief Backs ’89 Crackdown

China’s defense minister defended his actions in cracking down on student pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square and took a hard line Tuesday on Chinese relations with Taiwan.

Bluntly addressing two of the most sensitive issues surrounding U.S.-Chinese relations--and his visit to the United States--Defense Minister Chi Haotian told an audience of U.S. military officers that if there is a lesson to be learned from the bloody 1989 Beijing demonstrations it is that “we should educate our youth well.”

Hundreds--some estimates say thousands--of students were killed by the military in the uprising.

Chi also had tough words on the issue of Taiwan, saying that China remained committed to reunification.

“We hope to see a peaceful settlement yet refuse to renounce the use of force,” Chi said. “The entire Chinese history shows that whoever splits the motherland will end up condemned by history.”