On Tuesday, June 4th, it was the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre by the Chinese Communist Party. The European Union issued a statement on that day, emphasizing the importance of remembering these events and commemorating the persecuted individuals for future generations. The EU also expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and urged the Chinese Communist authorities to acknowledge these events.
The spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated, “Today marks the 35th anniversary of the violent suppression of peaceful pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square by the Chinese Communist Party in 1989. Remembering these events and commemorating those who were killed, detained, or disappeared is crucial for future generations and collective memory.”
“The EU stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, urging the Chinese Communist authorities to acknowledge these events and take concrete steps to be accountable. Legal protection and due process rights of detainees related to the 1989 events or commemorative activities should be respected.”
“Recently, Hong Kong and other places have implemented restrictions on memorial activities and discussions related to Tiananmen Square (events). The EU is concerned about these measures as they highlight the challenges faced by individuals advocating for human rights and basic freedoms in China.”
“The EU will continue to engage with China on human rights and fundamental freedom issues through dialogue and cooperation.”
Australia also expressed concerns over the Tiananmen Square incident. Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian highlighted the “cruel force” used by the Chinese Communist authorities against students 35 years ago and expressed worry over the suppression of human rights by the CCP.
“We call on China to stop suppressing freedom of speech, assembly, media, and civil society, and release those detained for peacefully expressing political views,” said Huang Yingxian.
As democratic activists around the world commemorated the 35th anniversary of “June 4th,” China and Hong Kong tightened security control. According to Reuters, Tiananmen Square in Beijing was heavily guarded on Tuesday with restricted access. In Hong Kong, several activists were detained by the police.
Meanwhile, in Taiwan and other parts of the globe, preparations were underway for vigil events to commemorate this day.
Before dawn on June 4, 1989, the Chinese government deployed troops and tanks to forcefully suppress students and workers advocating for democracy, leading to the shocking Tiananmen Square Massacre that reverberated globally. Many students and civilians lost their lives, and some fled abroad. That year, an image of a man in a white shirt blocking a tank’s path spread worldwide, with the West dubbing him “Tank Man,” making it a symbolic moment of “June 4th.”
To this day, the Chinese Communist authorities continue to conceal the truth, oppress participants, and prohibit the public from commemorating this event. “June 4th” remains a taboo subject in China under CCP rule.
Although the Chinese Communist Party has never disclosed the death toll of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, human rights organizations and witnesses claim that the number of deaths may have reached thousands.