Topic

June 4 vigil in Hong Kongi

June 4 marks the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and has become a day of peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong. In early 1989, students in Beijing led demonstrations against China's central government calling for greater freedoms. In the early hours of June 4, the military moved in to remove the demonstrators. An unconfirmed number of unarmed civilians were killed in the crackdown.

Advertisement

With the candlelight vigil marking the Tiananmen crackdown banned for the second year running and the national security law having a wider effect, the Hong Kong government should clarify the legal position of the event, so the public is clear on what is permitted and what is not.

videocam

Hong Kong people consecrate it as a collective, communal memory of a struggle for liberty soaked in blood. But in the end, the nation’s economic reforms offer far greater personal freedoms, and freedom from want, to far greater numbers of Chinese than anything that could have been achieved by the students and workers in 1989

videocam

The event may have been banned this year as a result of social-distancing rules, but as long as it and other gatherings do not pose a threat to public safety and order there is no reason they should not go ahead.

  • Trio from Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China were convicted last year for rejecting police request for information on group
  • Implementation rules of the Beijing-imposed national security law empower the police chief to request a range of information from suspected foreign agent

Activist Chow Hang-tung is accused of inciting subversion in connection with her role as vice-president of group behind city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement

More than 6,000 officers to be out on the streets on Saturday in wake of spate of stabbings and to deter potential trouble at handover commemoration events

Readers discuss the work ethic of the younger generations, the sensitivity in Hong Kong over the June 4 anniversary, and the opposition to building flats on the Fanling golf course.

Justice department’s appeal against Chow Hang-tung’s acquittal approved as case involves points of ‘great and general importance’, three judges say.

Among those taken away were Chan Po-ying, leader of League of Social Democrats, and Leo Tang Kin-wah, ex-vice-chairman of disbanded Confederation of Trade Unions.

videocam

Chris Tang says authorities will take ‘resolute action’ against anyone taking advantage of approaching ‘special occasion’ to threaten national security.

videocam

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says decision to take sculpture marking crackdown at Tiananmen Square in 1989 was not based on any ‘special consideration’.

Tsui Hon-kwong and Tang Ngok-kwan released on bail pending appeal; former vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung remains in custody after refusing conditions.