China

Tienanmen anniversary passes quietly

Article published on the 2008-06-04 Latest update 2008-06-04 10:29 TU

Paramilitary soldiers in Tiananmen Square at dawn, 4 June 2008
(Photo: Reuters)

China stepped up security in Beijing on Wednesday around the 19th anniversary of the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, known in China as the June Fourth Incident. The United States called on China to give a full account of the events from 3-4 June 1989 when thousands of students and protesters were killed, detained or went missing after a government crackdown on a weeks-long demonstration.

Relatives of victims held private memorial ceremonies on the eve of the anniversary, some near the square, others in a cemetery where some victims are buried.

The repression of the demonstration is a taboo subject in China. Washington on Tuesday said that Beijing should take advantage of the upcoming Olympics to explain what happened and to release prisoners taken during the protests.

"The time for the Chinese government to provide the fullest possible public accounting of the thousands killed, detained, or missing in the massacre that followed the protests is long overdue," said State Department Sean McCormack.

US-based campaign group Human Rights Watch claims China is holding around 130 prisoners.