Security tight in China ahead of Tiananmen anniversary
- 10 years ago
Chinese authorities have increased security in the country in the run up to the 25th anniversary, on June 4, of the pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
Recent weeks have been marked by detentions, a notable increase in the number of police on the streets of Beijing and tighter controls on the internet. Google and several other websites have seen their services affected.
“In China, there are only lawbreakers, there are no dissidents. Each Chinese government department acts in accordance with the law,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.
The anniversary of the 1989 protests has never been publicly marked on mainland China. Termed “counter revolutionary” by the ruling Communist Party, they remain a taboo subject.
The death toll for the crackdown is still unknown. Human right’s groups and witnesses have said that the figure is between several hundred and several thousand.
Commemorations have been held every year in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Recent weeks have been marked by detentions, a notable increase in the number of police on the streets of Beijing and tighter controls on the internet. Google and several other websites have seen their services affected.
“In China, there are only lawbreakers, there are no dissidents. Each Chinese government department acts in accordance with the law,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.
The anniversary of the 1989 protests has never been publicly marked on mainland China. Termed “counter revolutionary” by the ruling Communist Party, they remain a taboo subject.
The death toll for the crackdown is still unknown. Human right’s groups and witnesses have said that the figure is between several hundred and several thousand.
Commemorations have been held every year in Hong Kong and Taiwan.