Taiwan's President Pledges to Defend Democracy on Tiananmen Square Anniversary

On the 35th anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square crackdown, Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te vowed to 'respond to authoritarianism with freedom' as China restricted access to the square and Hong Kong increased policing. Activists worldwide prepared to mark the date with vigils.

The Tiananmen Square crackdown remains a sensitive and taboo subject in China. On June 4, 1989, Chinese troops forcibly dispersed peaceful protests, resulting in hundreds of deaths, with some estimates suggesting over 1,000 fatalities. The ruling Communist Party has never released an official death toll.

In a Facebook post, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of remembering the crackdown. 'We will continue to work hard to keep this historical memory alive and touch everyone who cares about Chinese democracy,' he wrote. 'Because this reminds us that democracy and freedom are not easy to come by, we must... respond to autocracy with freedom, face the expansion of authoritarianism with courage.'

The Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary marks a poignant occasion to reflect on the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in China, with implications for global politics and international relations. The event's commemoration also highlights the tension between authoritarianism and freedom, with potential consequences for the future of democracy in the region.

China has repeatedly criticized Lai, labeling him a 'dangerous separatist' and a 'saboteur of peace and stability.' Beijing has censored any mention of the crackdown and restricted access to Tiananmen Square. An official website for the Tiananmen Tower posted a notice stating it would be closed for the entire day on June 4.

In Hong Kong, where an annual vigil has been banned since 2020, authorities increased policing around Victoria Park. Eight people were arrested for commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown on social media, accused of publishing 'seditious' online posts in an amid tight security environment.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong remarked on the international community's remembrance of the tragic events of June 4, 1989. 'The international community remembers the tragic events and loss of life on 4 June 1989,' she said. Activist groups from London to Washington planned events to commemorate the crackdown in a show of history.

Taiwan, the only part of the Chinese-speaking world where June 4 can be remembered openly, planned a commemoration event in Taipei. 'The memory of June 4th will not disappear in the torrent of history,' Lai stated. 'We will continue to work hard to make this historical memory last forever and move everyone who cares about Chinese democracy.'

In Beijing, security was tight, with access to Tiananmen Square restricted. Small groups of 'stability maintenance' volunteers were deployed in neighborhoods, and guards were stationed on pedestrian bridges. On Chinese social media platforms, users were unable to change their profile photos, a common practice to commemorate the anniversary in an amid tight security environment.

The Tiananmen Square crackdown remains a landmark event in modern Chinese history. Decades after the military suppression, the demonstrators' original goals, including a free press and freedom of speech, remain distant. The crackdown is still a taboo topic in China, but its memory persists in the hearts and minds of those who value democracy and human rights.

Key Takeaways

• Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vows to remember Tiananmen Square crackdown.
• China restricts access to Tiananmen Square, increases policing in Hong Kong.
• Activists worldwide prepare to mark the 35th anniversary with vigils.
• Taiwan plans commemoration event, while Hong Kong bans annual vigil.
• International community remembers the tragic events of June 4, 1989.

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