The 22nd anniversary of Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 (22周年六四遊行) saw more than 150,000 people gathering in Victoria Park in Hong Kong on 4 June 2011 evening to mark the 22nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.[1]
Restrictions are imposed annually on dissidents ahead of the anniversary to limit protests and demonstrations as it is a taboo subject in mainland China.[2][3][4][5]
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As the People's Republic of China has publicly embraced the one country, two systems model of governance for Hong Kong, the annual 4 June observance which has become a tradition since 1989 has continued after the transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China.[6] It is the only place on Chinese soil where the event is openly commemorated in any way and on any scale.[7]
On 30 May 2011, more than 1,000 marchers, organised by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, started a march from Victoria park carrying a replica of the Goddess of Democracy.[8] Organizers of the events estimate that as many as 150,000 people gathered for the The Victoria park candlelight vigil[1] Hong Kong police estimate there were 77,000 people.[9] Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan have expressed dissatisfaction with the police who had cut off lines, closed off subway exits and blocked some entrances to Victoria park even before the event started.[10] This redirection was purposely done before the parks were even full.[11]
There were a total of 53 arrests on charges of assaulting or obstructing police officers.[12] The police have also complained about the citizens causing traffic jams and not obeying protest rules. In one case they found a police baton on a protester who is now suspected of theft.[13]
In Taipei hundreds of people urged the public to support the democracy movement in China and attended a vigil to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.[14]
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reportedly said that the people have broad political rights and enjoy the best human rights conditions in the country's history.[15]
For the anniversary The Daily Telegraph released the Tiananmen cables sent to them by WikiLeaks. The cables included communications from 3-4 June, 1989 between the United States and diplomats present for the events in and around Tiananmen Square. The leaks revealed, among other things, the eyewitness account of a Chilean diplomat that there was actually no mass firing inside Tianamen Square in 1989. According to the cables, soldiers instead fired on protesters outside the center of Beijing.[16][17]
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