As the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in China draws near this Sunday, several Hong Kong citizens have turned to private commemoration, shadowed by a law that led to the prosecution of prominent figures in the local pro-democracy movement.
Historically, Hong Kong stood as the sole location within China where large-scale remembrances of the 1989 suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators were held. The incident witnessed tanks entering Beijing’s epicentre, leading to the deaths of hundreds, possibly thousands, of people.
The yearly candlelight vigil held in Victoria Park to honour the June 4 anniversary had been a tradition in Hong Kong. In 2020, thousands went against a police prohibition to participate in the event.
However, this year, Victoria Park will be filled with a carnival by pro-Beijing groups celebrating the 1997 transition of Hong Kong to Chinese rule, featuring a bazaar selling food from all over China.
Public expressions of dissent have largely disappeared as the government has incarcerated activists, publishers, and opposition politicians under the wide-ranging 2020 National Security Law. Amid authorities wiping out traces of the massacre, some Hong Kong residents strive to keep the memory alive by distributing LED candles, authoring articles about the crackdown, and purchasing related books.
Richard Tsoi, a former vigil organizer, would typically have a busy week leading up to the anniversary, coordinating with police and preparing for the event. But this year, the 55-year-old has yet to make plans for Sunday.
For over three decades, we fought against forgetting, perpetuating the memory through our work,” Tsoi, who donned a black t-shirt bearing the slogan “The people will never forget,” said. “We now must consider ensuring this message is not drowned out in Hong Kong.”
When questioned if publicly mourning the crackdown individually was legal, Hong Kong leader John Lee responded that any law-breaking action would necessitate police intervention.
The organization responsible for the Victoria Park vigil dissolved in 2021 following an investigation by the police accusing it of acting on behalf of foreign entities – a charge the group denied. Subversion charges were laid against three of its leaders.
The impact of the Tiananmen crackdown resonated deeply with a generation of liberal-minded Chinese citizens. Tsoi, who was in college during the 1989 democracy movement, said the protests had instilled hope in him for China’s future. However, hearing gunshots on TV was a heartbreaking and infuriating experience.
In the aftermath of the crackdown, Tsoi questioned what could still be achieved in Hong Kong. He decided to devote his entire life to pursuing democracy in China.
Following the implementation of the National Security Law, statues related to Tiananmen were removed from universities, and books about the incident were withdrawn from public libraries. Johnny Lau, a newspaper columnist who reported on the 1989 crackdown, noted that the taboo around June 4 makes people think about it more.
As books were removed from libraries, a public servant named Yau felt compelled to purchase a new book titled “May 35th,” a veiled reference to June 4. She intends to spend Sunday reading a book or watching a documentary about the crackdown and contemplating its historical implications.
A handful of small businesses are participating in the remembrance. Despite a recent meeting with national security authorities, Derek Chu, owner of group purchase platform AsOne, plans to distribute LED candles at his store on Sunday. Despite the risks, Chu stated that it’s essential to remember those who sacrificed for democracy and freedom.
Meanwhile, overseas, the Hong Kong diaspora is organizing events. Nearly 20 commemoration events are planned for Sunday in major democracies, including the UK, which has seen an influx of 113,500 Hong Kong immigrants via a particular visa scheme.
Lit Ming-wai, a former leader of the now-dissolved art group behind “May 35th,” relocated to the UK in 2021. She organized overseas screenings of the play and published the book in Taiwan last month. She affirms that keeping the space alive in foreign lands is a form of resistance against oblivion and China’s authoritarian rule.
“Buying a book, listening to a song, lighting a lamp, or wearing a shirt is not meaningless,” she said. “You will realize you are not alone when you do it.”
As Hong Kong marks the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in quieter, private ways, it is clear that the spirit of remembrance and the quest for democracy remains strong among its people. Despite the stringent laws and the looming shadow of prosecution, these silent acts of resistance illuminate the enduring pursuit of freedom and democratic ideals. As these tales of defiance continue to be told and retold, they are powerful reminders of the undying hope for a democratic future in Hong Kong and worldwide.
