The spreading of the picture makes China look better. I originally thought the man was trying to protect students, showing heartless soldiers. But he is talking to leaving soldiers.

If the picture is Chinese propaganda and staged, it stresses that the cruelty on the square was so big that this distraction was necessary.

If it is authentic then what do we see? Soldiers who respect the life of a protester.

Edit: Read NeilBrü@lemmy.world’s comment above.