Beijing (AP) – As China marks the 36th anniversary of the tragic crackdown that suppressed the Democracy protest, most citizens observe the day like any other weekday. This is precisely what the ruling Communist Party desires.
This Wednesday, security was heightened around Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the epicenter of student-led protests that rattled the government in 1989. Military intervention was ordered by then-leader Deng Xiaoping on the night of June 3-4, resulting in the use of live ammunition against protesters. The military pursued the crowds, trying to prevent them from accessing the square. Estimates indicate that hundreds, if not thousands, were killed, including numerous soldiers.
The Communist Party has achieved some success in its efforts to erase the memory of what it labels the 1989 “political turmoil.” Public commemorations and references to the June 4th events are heavily suppressed, with strict internet censorship in place.
Security officers near the Tiananmen Gate, which is undergoing renovations, on the anniversary of China’s violent crackdown on democratic protests in Beijing on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
In recent years, these prohibitions have extended to Hong Kong. Events like the candlelight vigils for former annual memorials are no longer permitted. Police reported detaining ten individuals for alleged public order violations, with three still in custody as of late Wednesday, while others were released. Additionally, one woman was arrested for failing to present identification, hampering police operations.
In contrast, Taiwan, which is viewed by Beijing as a rogue province, still holds large gatherings on June 4th to remember this event.
AP Audio: Quiet Tiananmen Square Anniversary Illustrates China’s Power to Suppress Historical Memory
Associated Press Correspondent Charles de Ledesma recounts how most of China observes the 36th anniversary of the violent repression of pro-democracy protests, though memories remain vivid for some.
The crackdown has fortified the Communist Party’s dominance
Tiananmen Square, an expansive area in the center of Beijing, features notable communist architecture that signifies the establishment of the communist regime in 1949.
In the spring of 1989, college students gathered at this symbolically significant location, demanding freedom and sparking a rift within the party leadership. The military’s decision to intervene marked a key turning point in China’s modern history, leading to continued economic growth while maintaining the Communist Party’s strict control.
Chinese authorities assert that the rapid economic development achieved since then validates their decisions during that tumultuous period.
“The Chinese government has drawn a clear conclusion regarding the political turmoil of the late 1980s,” stated China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jiang on Wednesday, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to “socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Every year, the group known as the Mothers of Tiananmen, formed by the parents of victims, calls for an independent investigation into the events of June 4, 1989. The group has also demanded compensation for families and accountability for those responsible for the violence.
Bans on public commemorations have extended to Hong Kong. Consulates from the UK and Canada have shared social media videos honoring the anniversary, though these were quickly censored by authorities. Meanwhile, embassies in Canada and Germany displayed images of a single candle on large screens facing main thoroughfares.
Hong Kong’s once outspoken populace now subdued
In Hong Kong, a carnival is held at Victoria Park celebrating Chinese culture, where tens of thousands used to gather for candlelight vigils on this significant date.
Authorities had initially curtailed vigils during the Covid-19 pandemic, and organizers faced arrest in 2021 as part of a broader crackdown on dissent that followed months of anti-government protests in 2019.
A former district council member, Jang Kim Kam, recounted how customs officials questioned her at her store the night before June 4th after she promoted a small white candle in an Instagram post titled “June, I won’t forget.”
“Hong Kong has become a quiet lamb since 2019,” expressed King NG, who attended the park gathering on Wednesday.
Police presence was strong to deter protests, leading to the removal of several individuals from the park, including a young woman in a school uniform and a man offering silent prayers. Although one woman was ultimately let go, police initially detained her for having lit a celebratory candle.
Electronic candles illuminated the windows of the US Consulate, while the British consulate projected “VIIV” (Roman numerals associated with June 4th) onto a prominent wall.
Embassies from the UK and Canada previously shared messages reminiscing about June 4th on social media, recalling the time when Hong Kong was a British colony until its handover in 1997. The US Consulate also published a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“The CCP will actively try to censor the facts,” Rubio stated, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. “But I will never forget this history,” he added.
Taiwan aims to galvanize global support for democracy against China
Taiwan’s President Leichete seized the anniversary to highlight how the island is at the forefront of defending democracy against authoritarianism. In a Facebook message, he contrasted Taiwan’s multiparty democracy with China’s single-party rule.
“Authoritarian regimes often choose to silence history, while democratic societies preserve the truth and refuse to forget those who advocate for human rights and their aspirations,” exclaimed Lai.
Taiwan transitioned from authoritarianism to democracy starting in the late 1980s, heavily relying on support from the US and other democratic allies to deter a potential Chinese invasion.
On the evening of June 4th, hundreds gathered for a vigil in Taipei’s Freedom Square, where a scaled model of the “Pillar of Shame,” a statue commemorating the protests that once stood at the University of Hong Kong, was prominently displayed.
Many activists from Hong Kong remain abroad, while others opposing the regime risk imprisonment or are coerced into silence.
Taiwanese professor Wu Lang Huang, a witness to the military’s march into the square in 1989, is dedicated to documenting the events and collecting artifacts related to the movement.
“We not only aim to remember the past, but also to draw lessons relevant to modern Hong Kong and Taiwan,” Wu stated.
One of the event organizers, known as Mimi for safety reasons, shared sentiments about how the younger generation, born long after the protests, still feels compelled to recognize this history.
“It’s about memory and, in itself, a form of resistance,” she remarked.
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This report has been updated regarding the timeline of British colonial rule in Hong Kong, concluding in 1997.
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Leon contributed to this report from Hong Kong. AP journalist Christopher Bodhien provided additional coverage from Taipei, Taiwan.
Source: apnews.com