As the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown unfolded, Hong Kong’s Victoria Park became a focal point of tightened security measures and detainments by police forces. The day also witnessed restricted access to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, underscoring the continued sensitivity surrounding the events of June 4, 1989.
In Hong Kong, where annual candlelight vigils were once a poignant tradition, the atmosphere was charged with tension as police presence intensified around Victoria Park. This year’s anniversary marked a departure from the past, with the enforcement of stricter national security laws curtailing public gatherings and expressions of dissent.
Among those detained was 68-year-old Alexandra Wong, who defiantly held up a bouquet of flowers and shouted, “The people will not forget!” Her arrest, along with several others, underscores the authorities’ crackdown on any form of dissent, particularly related to commemorations of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
The recent arrests, including that of prominent activist Chow Hang-tung, were reportedly linked to online posts referencing the events of June 4. Such actions signal a broader effort by authorities to quell any dissent or remembrance associated with the pro-democracy movement.
In response to inquiries, Hong Kong leader John Lee emphasized the ongoing need to safeguard stability and security in the region, without explicitly mentioning the Tiananmen anniversary. This subtle yet pointed statement reflects the delicate political landscape in which the authorities navigate their response to dissent.
Meanwhile, across the Taiwan Strait, hundreds gathered in downtown Taipei’s Liberty Square to hold a vigil in solidarity with those commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre. Despite geographical distance, the spirit of remembrance and resistance resonated as participants held up LED candles and laid flowers before an altar adorned with the numbers 89 64, symbolizing the enduring memory of the tragic events.
As Hong Kong grapples with escalating tensions and restrictions on civil liberties, and Taiwan stands in solidarity with those fighting for democracy and human rights, the legacy of Tiananmen Square continues to reverberate, reminding the world of the enduring struggle for freedom and justice.