The day that changed everything - June 4, 1989
Purged officials and intellectuals recall devastating effect the crackdown of 24 years ago had on their own lives and their country's political future
They were once passionate in wanting to steer their country onto a path of liberalisation, rule of law and democracy. And they believed they were making a difference.
But when tanks rolled into Beijing and troops opened fire to crush the pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square in the early hours of June 4, 1989, everything changed.
As party conservatives triumphed over reformists in the political struggle, allies of ousted party chief Zhao Ziyang and liberal intellectuals in government think tanks became targets of suppression, as did talented, but outspoken, young intellectuals.
Placed on the most wanted list, some were sent to jail while others fled the country. Some were investigated by the authorities, expelled from state jobs or pressured to leave.
Twenty-four years on, these liberal-leaning people - once the country's intellectual elite - say they continue to be rejected by the government and remain frustrated that they can no longer contribute towards their country.
Most who fled abroad are barred from entering China, while those who stayed can only live on the margins of society.