As the 36th anniversary of the June 4th incident in 2025 approaches, China has significantly escalated its stability maintenance measures across the country. Dissidents, lawyers, writers, and human rights activists in Beijing, Guizhou, Anhui, and other areas have recently been subjected to soft detainment through tactics known as “being taken on a ‘tour'” or “being put on duty.” Observers point out that despite facing financial pressure, the authorities continue to intensify stability maintenance efforts, reflecting a high level of sensitivity towards discussions and gatherings related to the June 4th incident.
In Beijing, resident Wang Peng (pseudonym) revealed to Epoch Times that the capital has recently shown a “tightened internal control, loosened external control” stance, with certain key figures being closely monitored by state security: “Today (May 30), Gao Yu was taken away by state security for a ‘tour,’ while Xie Xiaoling, Li Errou, writer Lao Gui, lawyer Mo Shaoping, and Pu Zhiqiang were put on ‘duty’ for soft detainment, expected to be released only after June 4th.”
The so-called “being taken on a ‘tour'” involves authorities taking dissidents away from their original residences under the guise of “touring,” restricting their contact with the outside world. During sensitive political times such as the CCP’s two sessions and the anniversary of June 4th, similar measures are implemented by the authorities.
According to Wang Peng’s observations, due to tight public security funds, only a few dissidents are taken to other regions for “touring,” while the rest are guarded by temporary security hired by local police stations. He stated, “Cha Jianguo, He Depu, Li Wei, and Hu Jia are also under house arrest, needing to take a police car even just to go to the supermarket, with police following them the whole way. Despite many years having passed since June 4th, they continue to not let us go.”
On the overseas social platform X, a video posted on May 30 by user “Li Wei” showed multiple police vehicles parked downstairs in their building.
Wang Peng also mentioned that the health of some elderly dissidents under soft detainment has been affected. “Given Gao Yu’s old age and poor health, this constant upheaval is undoubtedly torture for her.” He described the authorities’ highly guarded approach towards June 4th as lacking in humanitarian care and revealing a fear of history within the system.
A friend of Guizhou dissident Ji Feng, Hu Gang, informed Epoch Times that Ji Feng may be “taken on a ‘tour'” on May 31. Currently residing in the Yanshou area near the border of Beijing and Hebei, Ji Feng has received a phone call notification from the Guizhou state security, preparing for the “tour,” with the specific destination remaining unclear.
In Hefei, Anhui, local human rights activist Mr. Zhang revealed that former prosecutor Shen Liangqing, who was involved in the 1989 pro-democracy movement and has been sentenced multiple times, was recently warned by the police not to accept interviews from foreign media. The police required him to “mind his words and actions” and maintain a “low profile.”
Guizhou is no exception. Christian dissident Mr. Huang stated that several members of the “Guizhou Human Rights Symposium,” including Chen Xi, Huang Yanming, Zeng Ning, and Liao Shuangyuan, have been put on duty for soft detainment, with police stationed outside their homes and warnings issued against “accepting foreign interviews” one by one. Mr. Huang expressed helplessness, saying, “The state is so financially strained to the point of using taxpayers’ money for maintaining stability.”
At the same time, internet surveillance is becoming increasingly severe. Some netizens reported being banned for reposting commemorative images containing burning candles, showing the authorities’ zero-tolerance policy towards symbols and discussions related to June 4th.
Beijing political scholar Sun Li pointed out that the June 4th incident is a significant political scar in modern Chinese history. He told Epoch Times that as the anniversary approaches each year, the official control intensifies, reflecting deep-seated concerns about political legitimacy and social stability. “The authorities not taking responsibility, not disclosing the truth, makes it difficult to calm down popular resistance sentiment.”
Retired Nanjing University lecturer Mr. Zhang believes that the authorities’ high-pressure stability maintenance demonstrates their high alertness towards potential sources of instability.