Since the beginning of the 1989 student movement, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile had been highly concerned about the Chinese students' non-violent struggle for freedom and democracy. Immediately after the bloody crackdown at Tian'anmen Square on June 4th, the Dalai Lama issued an urgent statement strongly condemning the Chinese government's atrocities in carrying out a crackdown on the students. The statement said, "I am deeply saddened that many people have lost their lives as a result of the violent crackdown by those in power in China. It is disappointing that the Chinese leaders do not accept the wishes of the people and the reality of the situation. As a Buddhist, I offer my condolences to those who have died and extend my sympathy and support to the victims' loved ones who are suffering from grief."

According to the Dalai Lama Tibetan Religion Foundation, the evening of June 4th saw intense contact between the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Chinese government; the Dalai Lama's statement of condemnation angered the Chinese government. It led to a hiatus in official discussions between Tibet and China that was only broken when contact was resumed in 2002.

References: [達賴喇嘛西藏宗教基金會("Dalai Lama Tibetan Religion Foundation")(Chinese)] (https://www.tibet.org.tw/news_ndetail.php?id=9324&type=C)