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Tiananmen commemorations in Hong Kong
Where the flame still burns
Jun 4th 2014, 15:40 by J.C. | HONG KONG
DESPITE choking heat, a record number of more than 180,000 people gathered in Hong Kong tonight, according to organisers, for the annual candlelit vigil to remember people killed when the Chinese armed forces suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Participants filled six football pitches and spilled onto the streets surrounding Victoria Park to urge China to respect human rights and overturn its denunciation of the pro-democracy movement as a "counter-revolutionary event".
Hong Kong, a former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, is the only place on Chinese soil where large public commemorations of the Tiananmen massacre take place; elsewhere memorials of the June 4th crackdown remain strictly forbidden.
The mood seemed more solemn than in recent years. A sea of people dressed in the traditional mourning colours of white and black held small white candles. The entire crowd bowed as a ceremonial funeral procession marched toward a large gravestone temporarily erected in the middle of the park. Then a torch was lit and organisers led the crowd in the shouting of slogans, including: "Vindicate June 4th, fight to the end."
"When the rest of China is silenced, Hong Kong can light a candle in protest against the Communist Party," said Lee Cheuk-yan, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, which has organised the vigil since 1990.
Some participants worry that Hong Kong is losing interest in seeking redress. The proportion of respondents who agreed with the statement "The Beijing students did the right thing" fell to 48% this year from 54% a year ago, according to a
poll by Hong Kong University. Only 56% of residents want the central government to overturn its official stance that a counterrevolutionary rebellion had threatened the nation, which is seven percentage points fewer than a year ago.
Older participants in the crowd expressed anxiety that the younger generation who had not experienced the 1989 events first hand would not care about preserving its memory. But in the University of Hong Kong poll, support for Tiananmen activists was strongest among those under 30. Dennis Yip, a member of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, said his classmates are "taking up the torch of what Beijing students started 25 years ago".
Outside Victoria Park, a pro-establishment group staged a counter-demonstration in support of the 1989 crackdown. The group, Voice of Loving Hong Kong, showed a video questioning the student movement and urging viewers to forget about the past. The group refused to talk to journalists, and was protected by a dozen police officers and metal barricades after arrests were made earlier in the evening. It was unclear who was arrested.
Mak Yin-ting, who covered the 1989 protests in Beijing for the Hong Kong Daily News, said that her worries 25 years ago have now been realised. She said press freedom has taken a battering, citing a rash of attacks on journalists and an increase in pressure on news organisations from Beijing. A
report by the Hong Kong Journalists Association said Beijing's representative office in Hong Kong has called newspaper editors to complain about their political coverage. In April the Chinese government summoned Hong Kong media executives to Beijing to issue them a
directive to play an "active, positive role" in voicing opposition to the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement.
The Occupy Central movement is threatening to rally thousands of protesters to paralyse the city's financial centre if the local government does not offer an electoral reform proposal in time for elections in 2017, when Beijing has promised to allow the selection of Hong Kong's leader through universal suffrage. The Chinese government insists it has no obligation to allow an open nominating process.
The vigil tonight ended with the singing of a Cantonese version of "Do You Hear The People Sing", a popular protest song from the musical
Les Misérables. As the crowd exited the park, protesters said they were already gearing up for another demonstrationin two days to mark the second anniversary of the death of Li Wangyang, a Tiananmen dissident and labour-rights activist. Li had spent 21 years in prison for his role in the pro-democracy protests and was found hanged in his hospital room in Hunan.
This time, protesters will have a more direct target: the Chinese government's liaison office in Hong Kong. It looks as if the small city will continue to be a thorn in the side of the motherland.
readers' comments
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Sort: Newest first Oldest first Readers' most recommended
hedgie Jun 5th 2014 2:17 GMT
Wow..HK & Macau People under PRC jurisdiction and Taiwanese after 25 years are still not convinced of the BS of the superior culture of the Mainland.
Remember that these are mainly Chinese and there are many more Chinese diaspora in Asia. What a DISGRACE that outside its borders, China cannot even claim to be the cultural/moral leader of the Chinese ?
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
ewakorn Jun 4th 2014 21:08 GMT
It is amazing that CCP, a political party that usurped the power by wooing the minds of Chinese youths between 1920s~1940s, failed so miserably in repeating the same tricks to the youths in Hong Kong, Taiwan and lately Macau.
And our fellow posters cannot blame the British since a lot of the youthful demonstrators in Hong Kong were just toddlers when the British left in 1997.
Unlike what many fellow posters said that economy takes precedence over injustice and inequality, the recent mass demonstration in Macau shows that even though every citizen is "bribed" by the government in receiving over US$1,000 tax credit every year, they will still voice angrily when injustice is inflicted upon them.
Recommend 3 Report Permalink Reply
MagicMoneyFrog in reply to ewakorn Jun 4th 2014 21:52 GMT
"It is amazing that CCP, a political party that usurped the power by wooing the minds of Chinese youths between 1920s~1940s, failed so miserably in repeating the same tricks to the youths in Hong Kong, Taiwan and lately Macau."
Back during the 1920's to 40's, the CCP promoted exciting ideals like equality, rejection of tradition, and utopianism. Of course the young people supported them. Today the CCP promotes drab and practical ideas like continual economic development, education, and stability. Of course young people don't like that; freedom and democracy sound much more exciting.
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
JAIHA in reply to MagicMoneyFrog Jun 5th 2014 1:49 GMT
Young people, I believe, are less willing to put up with in the face repression, injustice and hypocrisy. And they see plenty of it looking at the CPC.
The party is hardly a revolutionary force anymore but conservative and status quo obsessed, its credibility undermined by a glaring discord between its communist ideology and its representatives wearing business suits and stashing away billions overseas.
Show me any youth on the planet that will be enthralled by such a party, apart from its very own princelings!
If China had democratic parties, I am sure socialists and greens would fare better with China's young population than the CPC which as a conservative status quo party would receive most votes from people aged 40+.
I am saying this without passing judgement on its policies but rather as a general observation.
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
-PasserBy- Jun 4th 2014 18:48 GMT
I pray their sacrifices are never forgotten
Recommend 7 Report Permalink Reply
ISEE Jun 4th 2014 17:39 GMT
When I was a loser at bottom of society, I was one of those protestors who hated ruling elites to guts.
Now I am at top of my game with that 1% status, I am more symphathetic to elites. I have so much contempt to rude behavior and never my fault attitude of underclass.
Call me a traitor to prolectariat (99%) revulotion.
Recommend 13 Report Permalink Reply
dumazz Jun 4th 2014 16:32 GMT
After the vigil, a lot of Hongkongers once again remained in the park, meticulously cleaned up possible dirts they left and returned the park to the government as it should be, or maybe made it even cleaner.
In this rule-based society with effective law and order, self consciousness and strong desire to freedom, the Chinese government said that Hong Kong is not ready for democracy.
Hong Kong people are facing a hegemony bully at doorsteps. They may choose to get fed with a Stockholm's syndrome like their counterparts in China, deny their Chinese heritage or simply attend a vigil to memorise the death 25 years ago and go home to send the pictures on Facebook to prove that they still enjoy some freedom that the Mainland Chinese can't enjoy. Aside from it, nothing else can't be done to change their fate.
1997 marked the beginning of the end for Hong Kong. Fortune in 1997 was right to announce the death of Hong Kong.
Recommend 13 Report Permalink Reply
Giant Tortoise iawmaij Jun 4th 2014 16:17 GMT
I think the biggest problem with HK and other Chinese neighbors dealing with China is that nearly all Asian business leaders (including HK) know they need the business in China despite generally sub-par popular view with China. This creates political divide that pitted traditional pro-business conservatives against nationalistic (LDP in Japan or DPP in Taiwan) and left wing liberals (HK Democrats and Taiwan students) who oppose Chinese influence.
HK is more trapped by PRC's hard power, but not so much for Taiwan, Japan or Vietnam. I really how this would end in the coming decades. Asian business leaders fear and compromise PRC's hard power (and is rational for them to do so). However, if PRC continues to unable to win the hearts of Kong-kees, Taiwan students, or the Japanese and Vietnamese common folk, we are on a serious collusion course.
The more PRC trying to control HK press, the more people will have the urge to complain. The people will not shut up, and will become louder. It will just make it harder for PRC to win the hearts of Kong-kees or the common folks across Asia.
Recommend 11 Report Permalink Reply
CHINA - ConquerHeistInvadeNabAssault Jun 4th 2014 16:15 GMT
Brave Hong Kong people. But they should also remember the 30 mio. hungry ghosts famished during the "Great Hop" of the great Mao (Jasper Becker, Mao's secret famine - The Hungry Ghosts). It's Yin-Yang.
Recommend 7 Report Permalink Reply
Comment (9) Print
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About Analects
Insights into China's politics, business, society and culture. An allusion to Confucius, the name means "things gathered up" or "literary fragments"
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The Economist welcomes your views. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Review our comments policy.
Sort: Newest first Oldest first Readers' most recommended
hedgie Jun 5th 2014 2:17 GMT
Wow..HK & Macau People under PRC jurisdiction and Taiwanese after 25 years are still not convinced of the BS of the superior culture of the Mainland.
Remember that these are mainly Chinese and there are many more Chinese diaspora in Asia. What a DISGRACE that outside its borders, China cannot even claim to be the cultural/moral leader of the Chinese ?
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
ewakorn Jun 4th 2014 21:08 GMT
It is amazing that CCP, a political party that usurped the power by wooing the minds of Chinese youths between 1920s~1940s, failed so miserably in repeating the same tricks to the youths in Hong Kong, Taiwan and lately Macau.
And our fellow posters cannot blame the British since a lot of the youthful demonstrators in Hong Kong were just toddlers when the British left in 1997.
Unlike what many fellow posters said that economy takes precedence over injustice and inequality, the recent mass demonstration in Macau shows that even though every citizen is "bribed" by the government in receiving over US$1,000 tax credit every year, they will still voice angrily when injustice is inflicted upon them.
Recommend 3 Report Permalink Reply
MagicMoneyFrog in reply to ewakorn Jun 4th 2014 21:52 GMT
"It is amazing that CCP, a political party that usurped the power by wooing the minds of Chinese youths between 1920s~1940s, failed so miserably in repeating the same tricks to the youths in Hong Kong, Taiwan and lately Macau."
Back during the 1920's to 40's, the CCP promoted exciting ideals like equality, rejection of tradition, and utopianism. Of course the young people supported them. Today the CCP promotes drab and practical ideas like continual economic development, education, and stability. Of course young people don't like that; freedom and democracy sound much more exciting.
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
JAIHA in reply to MagicMoneyFrog Jun 5th 2014 1:49 GMT
Young people, I believe, are less willing to put up with in the face repression, injustice and hypocrisy. And they see plenty of it looking at the CPC.
The party is hardly a revolutionary force anymore but conservative and status quo obsessed, its credibility undermined by a glaring discord between its communist ideology and its representatives wearing business suits and stashing away billions overseas.
Show me any youth on the planet that will be enthralled by such a party, apart from its very own princelings!
If China had democratic parties, I am sure socialists and greens would fare better with China's young population than the CPC which as a conservative status quo party would receive most votes from people aged 40+.
I am saying this without passing judgement on its policies but rather as a general observation.
Recommend 1 Report Permalink Reply
-PasserBy- Jun 4th 2014 18:48 GMT
I pray their sacrifices are never forgotten
Recommend 7 Report Permalink Reply
ISEE Jun 4th 2014 17:39 GMT
When I was a loser at bottom of society, I was one of those protestors who hated ruling elites to guts.
Now I am at top of my game with that 1% status, I am more symphathetic to elites. I have so much contempt to rude behavior and never my fault attitude of underclass.
Call me a traitor to prolectariat (99%) revulotion.
Recommend 13 Report Permalink Reply
dumazz Jun 4th 2014 16:32 GMT
After the vigil, a lot of Hongkongers once again remained in the park, meticulously cleaned up possible dirts they left and returned the park to the government as it should be, or maybe made it even cleaner.
In this rule-based society with effective law and order, self consciousness and strong desire to freedom, the Chinese government said that Hong Kong is not ready for democracy.
Hong Kong people are facing a hegemony bully at doorsteps. They may choose to get fed with a Stockholm's syndrome like their counterparts in China, deny their Chinese heritage or simply attend a vigil to memorise the death 25 years ago and go home to send the pictures on Facebook to prove that they still enjoy some freedom that the Mainland Chinese can't enjoy. Aside from it, nothing else can't be done to change their fate.
1997 marked the beginning of the end for Hong Kong. Fortune in 1997 was right to announce the death of Hong Kong.
Recommend 13 Report Permalink Reply
Giant Tortoise iawmaij Jun 4th 2014 16:17 GMT
I think the biggest problem with HK and other Chinese neighbors dealing with China is that nearly all Asian business leaders (including HK) know they need the business in China despite generally sub-par popular view with China. This creates political divide that pitted traditional pro-business conservatives against nationalistic (LDP in Japan or DPP in Taiwan) and left wing liberals (HK Democrats and Taiwan students) who oppose Chinese influence.
HK is more trapped by PRC's hard power, but not so much for Taiwan, Japan or Vietnam. I really how this would end in the coming decades. Asian business leaders fear and compromise PRC's hard power (and is rational for them to do so). However, if PRC continues to unable to win the hearts of Kong-kees, Taiwan students, or the Japanese and Vietnamese common folk, we are on a serious collusion course.
The more PRC trying to control HK press, the more people will have the urge to complain. The people will not shut up, and will become louder. It will just make it harder for PRC to win the hearts of Kong-kees or the common folks across Asia.
Recommend 11 Report Permalink Reply
CHINA - ConquerHeistInvadeNabAssault Jun 4th 2014 16:15 GMT
Brave Hong Kong people. But they should also remember the 30 mio. hungry ghosts famished during the "Great Hop" of the great Mao (Jasper Becker, Mao's secret famine - The Hungry Ghosts). It's Yin-Yang.
Recommend 7 Report Permalink Reply
Comment (9) Print
E-mail Permalink
Reprints & permissions
About Analects
Insights into China's politics, business, society and culture. An allusion to Confucius, the name means "things gathered up" or "literary fragments"
RSS feed
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