Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam defends police action to close off Victoria Park on June 4, saying anniversary of Tiananmen Square crackdown could spur violent activism

Hong Kong’s leader has defended a police move to shut down parts of a park used for an annual June 4 vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, saying the politically sensitive date could have spurred activists to incite violence.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday it was the force’s responsibility to assess risks at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay as radicals had gone underground after the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law in June 2020.

“Police have always made risk assessments and conducted operations to protect Hongkongers, and as the chief executive, of course I support my law enforcement departments in taking this risk-oriented attitude,” she added.

Hong Kong had been the only city on Chinese soil where large-scale activities were held to mourn those killed in the 1989 crackdown. But for three consecutive years, local authorities have banned the annual June 4 vigil at Victoria Park, citing public health concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Six people were arrested on Saturday night over efforts to mark the crackdown’s anniversary. They were detained on suspicion of committing offences including inciting others to participate in an illegal assembly.

On Tuesday at a regular press briefing before her cabinet meeting, Lam was asked about her views on the muted June 4 atmosphere. She said it was “not a matter of personal perspective”.

“After the security law was implemented two years ago, Hong Kong’s overall political situation remains stable. But the police commissioner, the secretary for security and I have reminded the public from time to time that we’re still facing many hidden threats,” she said.