Tiananmen crackdown vigil banned again in Hong Kong, Macau

The city's authorities have, for the second year in a row, banned what used to be an annual candlelight vigil commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, shortly after Macau made a similar move.

The Hong Kong police yesterday issued a letter of objection on public health safety grounds to the organiser's request to hold the traditional memorial at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay on June 4, as well as a march on May 30.

The organiser, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, is appealing against the decision.

In Macau, the vigil was also banned for the second year. The authorities cited national security reasons and the ongoing pandemic.

Activists on Tuesday posted police papers online in which it was stated that slogans and information displayed at previous Tiananmen photo exhibitions and vigils "defame and slander the central government, incite subversion and disturb the harmony in society".

At a meeting on Tuesday, the Hong Kong police asked the organisers about their past activities and goals, including the demand for an end to one-party rule on the mainland.

In recent weeks, a number of pro-Beijing figures have said that the vigil could breach the national security law although the government has not publicly stated its position.

Hong Kong and Macau are the only places under Chinese jurisdiction that have been allowed such massive protests, where the participants can openly denounce the government in Beijing, demand reform and mark the Tiananmen crackdown by the People's Liberation Army.

Interest in the commemoration events appeared to have dwindled recently, especially in Hong Kong, as younger residents became disillusioned, particularly after the 2014 Occupy Central protests that brought the city's central district to a standstill.

Last year, the authorities banned the memorial on public health safety grounds, the first time this had occurred in the city in 30 years.

Still, thousands defied the ban to gather at Victoria Park.

Subsequently, 24 pro-democracy figures were charged with participating in and inciting others to participate in the unauthorised assembly.

Four were handed jail terms after pleading guilty early this month, including activist Joshua Wong who is now serving time. Others are awaiting sentencing.