33 years of massacre in Tiananmen Square: China tightened security and banned gatherings
On June 4, 1989, Chinese soldiers armed with assault rifles and escorted by tanks fired at protesters rejoicing for democracy in Beijing Square.
Estimates of the death toll range from hundreds to thousands, with thousands more injured
News agencies
04/06/2022
Saturday, 04 June 2022, 11:03 Updated: 11:13
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Victims of the brutal repression campaign against pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square 33 years ago will not be forgotten, the US government said today (Saturday), while Hong Kong was warned of illegal gatherings and Chinese authorities tightened security around the square in Beijing.
Today is the 33rd anniversary of the protest during which Chinese soldiers opened fire on students around the square.
Chinese authorities have banned any public marking of the event on the continent.
In a statement today, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the incident as a "brutal attack."
"The efforts of those brave people will not be forgotten. Every year, we respect and remember those who stood up for human rights and basic freedoms. Many of them can not speak for themselves, but we and many around the world continue to stand up for them and support their efforts to promote democracy and human rights," he said. Blink.
"For the people of China and those who continue to fight against injustice and seek freedom, we will not forget June 4."
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Rally in Hong Kong in 2020 (Photo: Reuters)
The events of Tiananmen Square were a series of popular protests in China that took place between April 15, 1989 and June 4 of that year, centered on the main square in the capital, Beijing.
The bulk of the protest was non-violent demonstrations in the square by students from across China seeking to implement democratic reforms in the country.
In what became known as the massacre in Tiananmen Square, soldiers armed with assault rifles and escorted by tanks fired on protesters and those trying to block the army's advance into the square.
Estimates of the death toll range from hundreds to thousands, with thousands more injured.
Taipei rally in Taiwan (Photo: Reuters)
A spokesman for Chinese Foreign Minister Zhao Lijian reiterated on Thursday the traditional government position on the incident.
"The Chinese government has long since come to a clear conclusion about the political incident that happened in the late 1980s," he said.
Rallies around the world were scheduled to take place today, and the human rights organization Amnesty International coordinated the lighting of candles in 20 cities "to demand justice and show solidarity with Hong Kong."
Later today, activists are expected to gather in the Taiwanese capital Taipei to mark the event.
Bodies at a demonstration in the square in 1989 (Photo: AP)
Taiwan's Continental Affairs Council yesterday called on Beijing to "address the historical facts of the incident in Tiananmen Square honestly, and start implementing political reforms and democratic governance."
Hong Kong rally in 2015 (Photo: Reuters, China demonstrations)
Authorities in Beijing placed face-recognition devices on roads leading to the square and stopped passers-by to check their IDs.
The police presence in the area has increased significantly - three times the usual number of police officers on Saturday mornings.
References to June 4 have been removed from Chinese social networks.
In Hong Kong, police announced yesterday that part of Victoria Park, where the event was previously marked, would be closed, and that in light of the corona people should not take part in "unauthorized gatherings".
"Police will place appropriate personnel in relevant locations and take decisive action to enforce the law, including arrests. The public is required not to break the law," police said.
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