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In Hong Kong is hidden one of the last public memorials to those killed in the Tiannamen protests. The calligraphy – painted on a bridge – has honored pro-democracy protesters, who were assassinated by Chinese authorities in Beijing in 1989.
This memorial was hidden with metal on Saturday by the University of Hong Kong, which considered the work as routine maintenance. But the memorial’s hiding comes at a time when Beijing has stepped up its crackdown on political dissidents in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been one of the few places in China where public honors for Tiananmen protesters have been allowed.
The Tiananmen Square massacre took place after mass protests, in which more political freedom was called for. Thousands protested in the square for weeks, but in June 1989, the army intervened with firearms. The Chinese government has said 200 civilians and several security officials have died, but other figures put the death toll at hundreds to 10,000.
Ever since China returned to Hong Kong, it has removed all elements that express criticism of the Communist Party in this city. A famous statue at the University of Hong Kong – the Pillar of Shame – was removed last month. Earlier this month, a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong was jailed for hosting a rally to commemorate the crackdown on Tiananmen Square.
Hong Kong authorities have banned such events in the past two years, citing restrictions on fighting the coronavirus pandemic – although activists have accused local authorities of succumbing to pressure from Beijing.
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