The 11th Asian Games were held in Beijing, China, from September 22nd to October 7th, 1990. That was the first time China hosted the Asian Games, and the first time the Asian Games were held in a socialist country.

After the June 4th crackdown, the preparations for the Asian Games suffered a setback; overseas donors adopted a wait-and-see attitude, and calls to "boycott the Asian Games" were heard from time to time. This caused concern within the Chinese Communist Party. In January 1990, State Council Premier Li Peng lifted the martial law imposed on some areas in Beijing as a result of the 1989 democracy movement. In preparation for the Games, Beijing not only built the Olympic Sports Center and Asian Games Village, but also called for donations from all over the country. Eventually, CN¥270 million, or one-tenth of the total funding.

In these Asian Games, the Chinese delegation won 183 gold medals, 107 silver medals, and 51 bronze medals, topping the gold medal rankings. Following the damage to its image after the Tian'anmen Square Incident, the Asian Games were seen as an opportunity for China to make a miraculous recovery. Not only did the Asian Games revive China’s tattered international image, but the Games also brought back unity of mind and heart to the Chinese people. Furthermore, modernization was also promoted by organizing the Asian Games. However, the Chinese Communist Party was also criticized by the outside world for trying to cover up the truth, present a false appearance of peace and prosperity, and evade responsibility for the June 4th crackdown.

References: [百度百科("Baidu Baike")(Chinese)] (https://baike.baidu.com/item/1990年北京亚运会/5438808?fromtitle=北京亚运会&fromid=10989791); [遠見雜誌("Global Views Monthly")(Chinese)] (https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/1870); [中國新聞社("China News Service")(Chinese)] (https://news.sina.cn/2020-09-22/detail-iivhvpwy8214212.d.html); [天下雜誌("Commonwealth Magazine")(Chinese)] (https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5038149); Website of the Chinese Government