The Flying Tiger Team reportedly consisted of about 500 young owners of motorcycles, most of them carrying a passenger (Holley, 24 May 1989, p.11). They raced through the streets of Beijing in protest against unfair distribution of money in Deng Xiaoping's China, as part of the general turmoil during the Spring of 1989 in China (Ibid.). They were officially termed "hooligans" and were meant to be "eliminated resolutely" by the Chinese authorities (Xinhua, 2 June 1989). Furthermore, the Chinese government, who deemed the Flying Tiger Team to be a "terrorist organisation", recognized its members as people who deeply hated the Communist Party and the socialist system (Xinhua, 6 July 1989).

On 12 June 1989, members of the Flying Tiger Team were arrested (Peking Television, 16 June 1989). Shortly after their arrest, some members of the Flying Tigers were executed (Ming Pao, 15 June 1989).
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holley, David. "For Youth of China, It's a Little Like Woodstock", Los Angeles Times, 24 May 1989, p.11.

"`Ming Pao' Peking Arrests 1,200, Executes 400", Ming Pao[Hongkong, in Chinese], 15 June 1989, reported by the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 16 June 1989, FE/0484/B2/1.
"Peking CCP Discusses Recent Turmoil and Reasons for Martial Law", Xinhua [in Chinese], 2 June 1989 at 1418GMT, reported by the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 June 1989, FE/0474/B2/1.
"Peking Flying Tiger Team Members Arrested, "Military Materials"Seized", Peking Television, 14 June 1989 at 1000GMT, reported by the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 16 June 1989, FE/0484/B2/1.
"Peking Mayor's Address to NPC Standing Committee on Background to 4th June Massacre", Xinhua [in Chinese], 6 July 1989 at 0848GMT, reported by the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 10 July 1989, FE/0504/B2/1.
"Why Impose Martial Law in Beijing", Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 21 June 1989, Item No.: 0621123.