[Anchor]
Yesterday (4th), marking the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in 1989, China began strengthening control not only on the mainland but also in Hong Kong, in an effort to erase history.
On the other hand, events criticizing China’s human rights violations and commemorating the victims continued in various parts of the world, including the United States and Taiwan.
This is reporter Jung Yu-shin’s coverage.
[Reporter]
In Taipei, citizens gathered candles to create the number ‘8964.’
June 4, 1989, signifies the day when Chinese authorities violently suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests.
In Taiwan, the only place in the Chinese-speaking world where a memorial ceremony was held, a moment of silence for 64 seconds was observed at 8:09 pm, symbolizing the thousands of victims. A red column representing the victims was also featured.
[Huan Zhonghao, university researcher: As China tries to conceal this event (Tiananmen Square crackdown), we must make more efforts to remember this event.]
On the other hand, tension prevailed in downtown Hong Kong, where the new national security law is in effect. Citizens attempting solo protests with Tiananmen-related pickets were being escorted away by the police. Even when a performance artist merely gestured ‘8964’ without saying anything, the police immediately surrounded them. Some individuals were detained for wearing black T-shirts with Roman numerals indicating the date of Tiananmen Square.
It was reported that over 10 people were arrested by Hong Kong police in the past week alone.
At the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, instead of holding an event, they placed electronic candles by the window to commemorate the victims.
[Brian, Hong Kong citizen: We just want to remember. I think it’s to show others that we haven’t forgotten.]
The surroundings of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which marked the historical site 35 years ago, remained calm all day. The Tiananmen Tower closed its doors to visitors, and the subway station at the square was temporarily closed with strengthened security checks.
Searches related to the protests have long been prohibited, and ahead of the 35th anniversary, there has been increased online censorship, such as blocking profile picture changes.
[Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: China has long made a clear conclusion regarding the political turmoil in the late 1980s. We oppose any defamation or interference in our internal affairs based on this.]
Despite China’s increasing efforts to erase Tiananmen Square, international efforts criticizing China’s human rights violations and commemorating the victims continue.
This is YTN Jung Yu-shin.
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