On Nov 29, 1948, the Beiping-Tianjin Campaign, one of three major campaigns launched by the People’s Liberation Army during the last stage of the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalist government, started.

After a month, the Chinese People's Liberation Army completed its strategic siege of Tianjin. When the Tianjin defenders refused to surrender, Liu Yalou, commander-in-chief of the campaign in Tianjin, ordered the final stage of the battle to begin. After 29 hours of fierce fighting, Tianjin was liberated.