The incident in the late 1980's at Tianamen Square in Beijing provides the backdrop for this drama. Dr Will Flint (Bob Peck) is in China as a Oncology consultant at a medical college, dealing with his recent family traumas whilst also attempting to track down his old mentor, Professor Hsu. Will meets and befriends Jin Juan (Lily Chen), a translator that helps him with his search for the Professor. Will is helped by ex-patriates Monica (Linda Cropper) and Larry (Gary Sweet), and together they become part of the students fight for democracy, leading to the event of June 1989 that shocked the world.