Candlelight vigil in Hong Kong commemorates 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown

Thousands attended a candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. On June 4, 1989, the Chinese government deployed troops to crackdown on pro-democracy, student-led protests. It is estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, were killed that day, although Chinese authorities have yet to release an official death toll. Organizers estimated that 110,000 gathered for the vigil, while police estimated only 18,000 took part. Hong Kong is one of the few places under Chinese control that such commemorations are allowed. Nearly three decades later, any public commemoration of the protests is still banned on the Chinese mainland.

By Staff Reporter
June 7, 2017 17:12 +08

IBTimes UK

Thousands attended a candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. On June 4, 1989, the Chinese government deployed troops to crackdown on pro-democracy, student-led protests. It is estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, were killed that day, although Chinese authorities have yet to release an official death toll. Organizers estimated that 110,000 gathered for the vigil, while police estimated only 18,000 took part. Hong Kong is one of the few places under Chinese control that such commemorations are allowed. Nearly three decades later, any public commemoration of the protests is still banned on the Chinese mainland.