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North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Anti-American Protests Erupt in Beijing Following Chinese Embassy Bombing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Furious students and ordinary citizens flooded the streets of Beijing, protesting the bombing of the Chinese embassy by NATO forces in Belgrade. The demonstrations, marked by violence and destruction, were the most intense anti-American protests in decades, with protesters denouncing the US and NATO as "killers" and "Nazis." The Chinese government, which has been critical of the US and NATO's actions, allowed the demonstrations to take place, giving people a way to express their outrage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The protests began with a well-orchestrated march by around 2,000 college students, but soon turned into a more unruly crowd, with older and more intent on violence demonstrators replacing the students by evening.
  • Demonstrations were held at both the British and American embassies, with the angriest protests directed at the United States. Protesters ransacked two cars belonging to U.S. diplomats, pelted U.S. embassy buildings with rocks, and burned an American flag.
  • The Chinese government has criticized the United States and NATO for getting involved in what it sees as a domestic matter for Yugoslavia and has called for an immediate halt to NATO's bombing.
  • Chinese students began their late-afternoon protest in front of the compound housing visa offices, and then marched down the block to a second compound for the commercial and political sections.
  • Demonstrations lasted well past midnight, with hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police called in to control crowds, but for the most part, they did not stop the protesters from damaging U.S. embassy buildings.
  • To the protesters, NATO is the United States, and "America is the head of NATO. They have committed 800 airplanes. They want to control the world," said 40-year-old Zhang Huaheng.
  • Waving school flags and protest banners, the students loudly sang the Chinese national anthem and shouted anti-America slogans, some dating back to World War II and the Korean War.
  • "America is an aggressor," said Zhou Yongyi, 19, a student at Capital Normal University. "They have hurt our hearts. We only want to express our anger. We hate what they did to us."
  • Hundreds of students also protested in Shanghai and outside the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou in southern China, with some reporting peaceful demonstrations in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

Statistics:

  • At least 2,000 college students participated in the initial protest march.
  • Demonstrations lasted well past midnight, with hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police called in to control crowds.
  • 800 airplanes were committed by NATO according to protesters.
  • The Chinese government has criticized the United States and NATO for getting involved in what it sees as a domestic matter for Yugoslavia.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, April 12, 1999
  • Reuters, April 11, 1999
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services, April 12, 1999

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