Over the decades, on June 4, a large number of Hongkongers gathered at Victoria Park in the city to remember the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. This vigil was a unique event in China, as it was the only location where such a large-scale public gathering could take place. However, with the enforcement of the 2020 National Security Law, authorities have now banned this annual ritual. As a result, Hongkongers have had to find more subtle ways to commemorate this sensitive date without facing legal consequences. The events leading up to this year’s June 4 were no exception.
Several pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong revealed to the Associated Press that police had inquired about their plans, with one activist being advised not to visit “sensitive places.” Performance artist Sanmu Chan, who was detained by the police last year for shouting slogans related to June 4, was once again detained this year while conducting a performance art piece in Causeway Bay. The artist was seen writing the Chinese characters for “8964” in the air, symbolizing the date of the crackdown, before police intervened.
Despite being released, Chan’s detention underscored the heightened security measures surrounding the June 4 anniversary. Furthermore, the arrest of a man on sedition charges relating to the Tiananmen Massacre anniversary posts highlighted the increased police presence as the anniversary approached. Additionally, various forms of subtle commemorations, such as scaling Lion Rock with illuminated numbers and posting coded references to June 4, were reported as Hongkongers sought alternative ways to remember the event.
In response to growing restrictions, outlets like The Christian Times chose to leave their front page blank this year, while the Hong Kongers in Leeds exile group and an independent bookstore faced scrutiny for their commemorative activities. Discussions around the historical significance of June 4 also extended to the realm of faith, with Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan urging forgiveness and reconciliation in the context of the massacre.
The ongoing persecution of individuals like Chow Hang-tung, viewed by some as an attempt to erase memories of the Tiananmen Massacre, demonstrates the challenges faced by those seeking to preserve historical truths in Hong Kong. These efforts have also impacted academic freedom in the city, as illustrated by the eviction of scholar Rowena He, emphasizing the diminishing space for scholarly debate and documentation in Hong Kong.
