Tiananmen Square: 35 Years of Silence and Remembrance

Thirty-five years after China's Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protests, heightened security and censorship remain. The event, marked by a heavy police presence and restrictions, left an indelible mark on Chinese history. Despite efforts to suppress remembrance, global commemorations continue, highlighting the lasting impact of the 1989 tragedy.

On Tuesday, heightened security measures and rows of police vehicles lined the roads leading to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. It marked the 35th anniversary of the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The effort to prevent any public remembrance extended beyond the mainland, as Hong Kong police took at least two people off the streets.

The Chinese government has long suppressed memory of the crackdown, in which an estimated 180,000 troops and armed police, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles, descended on Tiananmen Square to quell student-led protests. The death toll remains shrouded in mystery, though hundreds—possibly thousands—are believed to have died during the operation that began on the night of June 3 and ended the morning of June 4, 1989.

In modern Chinese history, the crackdown was a significant turning point. It resolved a crisis in favor of Communist Party hardliners who opposed political reform but eventually led to an economic boom. Nonetheless, societal controls have tightened since Xi Jinping rose to power in 2012. The sensitive topic remains heavily censored across China, with mentions quickly erased from social media platforms.

As tourists filled the streets leading to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City on Tuesday, the closest subway exit was closed, and so was a viewing point atop Tiananmen Gate. Mao Ning, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, reiterated the government’s stance on the 1980s political disturbance, rejecting any Western criticism.

Tiananmen Mothers, a group formed by victims' families, urged the Chinese government to release the names and numbers of those who died and to compensate the victims. The letter, signed by 114 family members and posted on their blocked website, emphasized the need to hold those responsible legally accountable.

In Hong Kong, once the only place in China where Tiananmen memorials could occur, the atmosphere was subdued. A pro-Beijing carnival replaced the usual candlelight vigil, and police presence was significant. Some residents marked the event privately or through symbolic acts. Overseas, commemorative events, including vigils and exhibits, have grown in response to the silence in Hong Kong.