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Security tight in China and Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

Beijing/Hong Kong, China Reuters Security was tight and access restricted to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Tuesday, the 35th anniversary of the 4th June crackdown, while Hong Kong also increased policing as activists in Taiwan and elsewhere prepared to mark the date with vigils. Chinese tanks rolled into the square before dawn on 4th June, 1989, […]

Hong Kong businesses mark Tiananmen anniversary in face of pressures

The front pages of Hong Kong newspapers that report on the Tiananmen Square crackdown on 4th June, 1989, are displayed at the independent bookstore 'Have A Nice Stay' in Hong Kong, China, on 2nd June, 2023.

Hong Kong, China Reuters Some Hong Kong shopkeepers are quietly commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown despite the spectre of a China-imposed national security law and pressure to stay silent on the episode that is censored in mainland China. Hong Kong used to play a leading global role in commemorating the 1989 crackdown […]

China’s Xi talks up security, reiterates COVID stance as congress opens

China Peoples Congress Xi Jinping

Beijing China Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping called for accelerating the building of a world-class military while touting the fight against COVID-19 as he kicked off a Communist Party Congress by focussing on security and reiterating policy priorities. Xi, 69, is widely expected to win a third leadership term at the conclusion of the week-long […]

Xi set to open party congress at challenging time for China

China Beijing Museum of the Communist Party of China

Beijing, China Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping will take the stage on Sunday to kick off a historic congress of the ruling Communist Party, where he is poised to win a third term that solidifies his place as China’s most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong. The congress comes at a tumultuous time, with Xi’s adherence […]

New Hong Kong bishop says will pray for Tiananmen victims, follow the law

Hong Kong Stephen Chow press conference

Hong Kong, China Reuters Hong Kong’s incoming Catholic bishop said on Tuesday he will pray for the victims of China’s 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen square, but whether he could do that in a public venue depends on the city’s laws. Pope Francis on Monday named Stephen Chow, 61, head […]

Hong Kong holds sombre Tiananmen vigil as Beijing goes into lockdown

Tiananmen Hong Kong1

Hong Kong/Beijng Reuters Tens of thousands joined a sombre candlelight vigil in Hong Kong on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of Chinese troops opening fire on student-led democracy protesters in and around Tiananmen Square, as authorities in Beijing went into lockdown.  Demonstrators gathered in the financial hub’s Victoria Park, holding up candles and placards […]

Security tight in Tiananmen 30 years after students “died for nothing”

China Tiananmen Square

Beijing, China Reuters Tourists thronged Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Tuesday amid tighter-than-usual security, although most visitors approached by Reuters said they were unaware of the bloody crackdown on student-led protests 30 years ago or would not discuss it. The anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, when Beijing sent troops and tanks to quell pro-democracy activists, is […]

Veteran cleric and Hong Kong democrat keeps up quest for “historical truth” of Tiananmen

Chu Yiu ming

Reuters Hong Kong Veteran Hong Kong democracy campaigner and Baptist cleric Chu Yiu-ming was in his mid-40s when he joined demonstrators around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989, just before a bloody crackdown that roiled China. Thirty years later, the political landscape appears even bleaker to Chu, who helped smuggle out dissidents after the bloodshed, and […]