Remembering Tiananmen: The Unyielding Efforts of Rowena He

Rowena He, a prominent scholar and former Tiananmen Square protester, continues to commemorate the 1989 crackdown despite China's suppression of such efforts. She travels internationally to give talks, emphasizing the importance of preserving these memories. Overseas events and new museums aim to keep the history alive amidst increasing censorship.

As the 35th anniversary of Beijing's Tiananmen Square crackdown approaches, Rowena He, a distinguished scholar of this grim chapter in China's history, has been tirelessly traversing the globe. Visiting locations from the United States to Britain and Canada, her mission remains clear: to voice the unspeakable for those silenced.

The 1989 crackdown, where government troops violently dispersed pro-democracy demonstrations, resulting in countless deaths, remains a forbidden topic in mainland China. Even in Hong Kong, long considered a safe haven for such commemorations, the annual June 4 vigil has been quashed in light of the city's crackdown on dissent post-2019 protests.

Despite facing intense censorship, including the loss of her academic position in Hong Kong, He remains undeterred in her advocacy. 'We cannot light the candles in Hong Kong anymore. So, we light them globally,' she asserts, highlighting the essential role of international memorials in preserving the memory of Tiananmen.