In may and june of 1989, students in beijing, china staged a pro-democracy demonstration in tiananmen square, beijing. the chinese government's response shocked the world when cameras saw tanks roll into the square and fire into the crowds. over the course of several days, hundreds were killed, injured, or arrested. the outcry here in the united states was profound. the nation, and congress, called for a swift and strong response from the president. president bush, however, measured his response against the united states' long-term interest in us-sino relations, imposing sanctions, but also using diplomacy and patience to demonstrate strength and support of pro-democracy movements while not alienating the chinese government.

read this unclassified memo outlining the themes president bush put forward when he sent his national security advisor and deputy secretary of state on a secret meeting with chinese officials to assess the situation and keep lines of communication open.

what were the key points bush wanted communicated to china? how did bush characterize the united states' position in a way that did not alienate china?