(AsiaNews/Agencies) - It was the largest group to commemorate June 4th since Hong Kong was handed over to China. The manifestation held yesterday in the center of Hong Kong gathered over 4 thousand people to remember the fifteenth anniversary of June 4th, 1989, of China's bloodbath repression of students and workers peaceful petition for democracy.
For the first time, the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China raised the question of Hong Kong's democracy in connection with the Tiananman Square massacre. "From the interpretation (of the Basic Law) to the suppression of universal suffrage and the gags on radio talk-show hosts, I believe everyone in Hong Kong has deep feelings of concern." He defended the slogan, "Return power to the people", saying, "The mainland needs to return power to the people. Hong Kong also needs that. Hong Kong is part of China, that's why pro-democracy movements in China naturally include Hong Kong."
Since the tragic event, 8 years before the then-British colony was to be handed back to China, the citizens of Hong Kong (including Beijing officials and Chinese government sympathizers) demonstrators have gathered every year to commemorate the massacre of Tiananmen. But this year the demonstrations take on a deeper meaning for Hong Kong, with the threats to democracy and its freedom apart from Beijing. Last month it was announced that Hong Kong would not be allowed to elect the next governor in 2007, or the Parliament in 2008. According to Szeto, "the threats to our 'one country, two systems'- Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, and a high degree of autonomy- have been unprecedented."
For the Chinese government, the facts of Tiananmen are defined as "the suppression of a counter-revolutionary movement". Hundreds, if not thousands, of defenseless activists many of them youth- were killed. "Chinese people will never forget this incident. Using guns to suppress defenseless peopleyou say if it is right or not," said Thomas Ma, an unemployed 44 year old. A participator of the events from Shanghai who calls himself Chen claimed, "The students were innocent. They should not have been suppressed with tanks and machine guns."
"The regime is not still open enough to face its people," said Jackie Hung, a Roman Catholic human rights activist.
According to organizers, 5600 people participated in the peaceful procession this year, more than double last year's figure of 2000. Police reported that 3000 had gathered already at the beginning of the rally at Victoria Park. Immediately after the 3 hour long procession, a veteran activist, Leung Kwok-hung struggled with the police while he and a dozen demonstrators carried a wooden coffin and tried to deliver a letter of petition to the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group disbanded after burning the petition letter. (ThR)