On the 4th, marking the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen June 4th Incident, students are holding a moment of silence in front of the 'Pillar of Shame' at the University of Hong Kong. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the anniversary of the Tiananmen (天安門·Tiananmen) June 4th Incident, the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and the European Union (EU) office lit candles to show support for the Hong Kong democracy protests, sparking strong backlash from China and escalating tensions.
According to Hong Kong media South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 5th, the US Consulate General posted on Facebook the day before a message from Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Incident along with a photo of the consulate building with candles lit at the windows.
The EU office also posted a photo on Twitter showing candles lit at the window, stating, "The EU defends universal human rights and calls on the world to respect them."
Every year in Hong Kong, a memorial rally for the victims of the Tiananmen Incident has been held at Victoria Park. However, the Hong Kong government prohibited the rally again this year citing COVID-19, following last year’s ban. This year, Victoria Park was completely sealed off and security checks were intensified.
Despite these prohibitions, citizens gathered in small groups across Hong Kong, lighting candles and cellphone flashlights. Memorial masses were held at seven churches, and drivers honked their horns in tribute.
Hong Kong police arrested six people who held gatherings in various parts of the city until 11:30 p.m. local time the previous day and fined 12 others for violating COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
In response, the Hong Kong office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement under the spokesperson’s name on the same day, condemning the posts by the US Consulate and others on social media as a "petty and futile political show." The office stated, "Under the pretext of defending democracy and human rights, they attempted to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs by using political agendas," and added, "They once again revealed their sinister intent to infiltrate, overthrow, and destroy China by exploiting Hong Kong."
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