04/20/2004, 00.00
china
Send to a friend

Emergency security measures for Tiananmen Square to prevent protests

Beijing (AsiaNews/AFP) - China has invoked emergency security measures in and around Tiananmen Square to prevent protests as the 15th anniversary of its crackdown against the pro-democracy movement of 4 June 1989. According to Xinhua news agency, the new regulations, which go into effect on Tuesday, are designed to maintain "sound, stable social order in the area" and enforce "rigid control so as to prepare for any emergency". It stated that "any activities affecting social order, public security and the environment in the Tiananmen area will be banned and penalised".

The decision to step up security also comes ahead of the week-long Labour Day holiday starting on May 1, when hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers are expected to visit the vast esplanade, to denounce their hard condition. There have been several self-immolation attempts in recent years, as an extreme sign of desperation. Particularly, the government's requisition of land and homes in recent years has also sparked protests, with forcibly evictees complaining of poor government compensation. Ignored by the government, many even set themselves on fire to draw attention to their plight.

The democratic claims, held in the biggest square of the world, began in April 1989 and culminated with a bloody crushing on June 4, in which hundreds, perhaps as many as a thousand people, were killed, mostly youth. The Chinese government sent troops and tanks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) into Tiananmen Square to break-up the biggest challenge ever to the Communist Party's rule. (ThR)

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Press freedom under siege, Filipino journalists says
10/12/2004
SARS doctor under house arrest: "I cannot receive the award"
28/08/2004
China announces “action plan” on human rights
10/11/2008
Growing repression in Damascus, 17 top officials sacked
20/06/2006
China tops world in censuring religious websites
22/07/2004


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”