Thousands gathered at Victoria Park in Hong Kong, Wednesday, to participate in a vigil honoring and celebrating the 1989 democracy protests anniversary, while remembering those who died.
China is the second largest economy in the world. Many believe that their individual and economic freedoms in China may have never been the case had the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests never occurred.
According to The New York Times, Security has silenced the anniversary in China, which leaves Hong Kong as the only Chinese territory where people can freely celebrate. People reportedly rushed out of the subway stations to buy white candles and gather at the concrete soccer fields on Hong Kong Island to celebrate a movement that has shaped contemporary China.
Chen Jing Gen of Shenzhen is one of many who traveled to Hong Kong for the vigil. “Hong Kong is a free society where you can speak out. In China, the Communist Party dictates everything,” he said to Reuters reporters.
Police surrounded the Square checking ID’s and searching for any hints of celebrating the anniversary. Police took into custody a Reuters reporter for attempting to report at a Beijing University and at least 66 others. The Reuters reporter was released from captivity a few hours later.
The first Tinanmen Square protests began in April 1989 due to outrage over the death of Hu Yaobang, leader of the reformist Communist Party. The outrage continued to grow amongst Chinese citizens as they wanted to put an end to the continual corruption and to establish a democracy, according to Reuters.
Today, some believe another democratic revolt could occur. One of the leaders of the 1989 movement, Wu’er Kaixi, says there are plenty of reasons why another strike could occur. He stated to Reuters reporters that people could revolt against the Communist Party for anything such as the bad pollution.
Many countries spoke out against the treatment of those who participated in the 1989 protests and honored their deaths today. In response Hong Lei, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said these countries had disrupted Chinese affairs.