Beijing, China

Security was tight and access to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Tuesday (Jun 4) was restricted on the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in the Chinese capital. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s president said that he will work hard to preserve the memory of the crackdown. 

Advertisment

Security heightened in China, Hong Kong

Hong Kong, according to Reuters, increased policing while people in Taiwan and elsewhere prepared to mark the date with vigils. 

On this day, three and a half decades ago, Chinese tanks rolled into the capital city’s Tiananmen Square to end weeks of pro-democracy protests by workers and students. 

Advertisment

At the time, images of a lone unidentified Chinese man in a white shirt standing in front of a column of tanks were shared across the world. 

Also Read | China's Chang'e-6 probe makes history, begins return journey to Earth with samples from Moon's dark side

Even today, the image of the so-called “tank man” is considered a defining image of the bloody crackdown ordered by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 

Advertisment

The ruling party never released a death toll, and June 4 continues to be a taboo topic in China.  According to rights groups and witnesses the death toll could run into thousands. 

Taiwanese president’s vow

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took to social media and said he will work hard to preserve the historical memory and reach out to everyone who cares about Chinese democracy. 

“This reminds us that democracy and freedom do not come easily and that we must build consensus with democracy and responds to authoritarianism with freedom,” Lai wrote in a post on Facebook. 

He added, “The memory of June 4th will not disappear in the torrent of history. We will continue to work hard to make this historical memory last forever and move everyone who cares about Chinese democracy.”

China has criticised the newly-elected Taiwanese president and called him a “separatist”. Last month, Beijing conducted military drills around Taiwan which it said was a “punishment” for Lai’s separatism.

The incumbent president and his party have rejected China’s sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

Taiwan’s defence ministry, on Tuesday (Jun 4) said it detected 23 Chinese aircraft around the island in less than three hours, out of which 16 crossed the median line, referring to the line which separates the island and the Chinese mainland. 

Hong Kong detains artist

On Monday (Jun 3) night, Hong Kong police briefly detained an artist after he appeared to write “8964” in the air with his hand, a reference to the date of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. 

Also Read | Israel confirms death of four hostages held by Hamas since October

Artist Sanmu Chen was standing on a street in Causeway Bay, a busy Hong Kong shopping district, surrounded by media close to a park that for decades hosted an annual vigil to mourn the victims of the 1989 crackdown.

He also mimed pouring wine on the ground, a Chinese tradition mourning the dead. He was detained for “causing a disturbance", a police spokesperson told the Guardian. He was later released “unconditionally”. 

(With inputs from agencies)