George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, suspended arms sales to China in 1989 in response to the Chinese government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

In June 1989, Chinese military forces brutally suppressed a peaceful demonstration of pro-democracy activists in Tiananmen Square, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians. The crackdown sparked outrage around the world, and many countries, including the United States, condemned the Chinese government's actions.

In response to the Tiananmen Square massacre, President Bush decided to suspend all U.S. military sales and transfers of military technology to China. The suspension included the sale of F-16 fighter jets and other advanced weaponry that had been planned for China.

President Bush's decision to suspend arms sales to China was a clear signal to the Chinese government that the United States was not willing to support or condone the violent suppression of peaceful protests and the abuse of human rights. The decision was also seen as a way to send a message to other countries that the United States would not tolerate such actions.

The suspension of arms sales to China was not lifted until 1991 when the Chinese government agreed to sign the Arms Control and Disarmament Agreement, which committed China to reduce its exports of arms and to comply with international norms on arms control and non-proliferation.

In summary, President George H.W. Bush suspended arms sales to China in 1989 in response to the Chinese government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. The decision was intended to send a message that the United States would not tolerate such actions and was only lifted when China agreed to sign the Arms Control and Disarmament Agreement.