📍 Global Observances Mark Historic Tragedy as China Maintains Silence
By GlobalDesk Newsroom | Updated: June 4, 2025 | 3:00 PM GMT
Taipei / Washington / London — On June 4, 2025, the world solemnly marked the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, the 1989 pro-democracy protest in Beijing that ended in a brutal military crackdown. While China continues to suppress discussion of the event domestically, commemorations and statements of remembrance were held across the globe.
🇹🇼 Taiwan Leads Global Commemoration
In Taipei, thousands gathered at Liberty Square, where candles were lit, white flowers were laid, and speeches echoed with messages of courage, resistance, and remembrance.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te led the ceremony, declaring:
“We will never forget the students and citizens who stood bravely for democracy in 1989. Their spirit inspires our own fight for freedom.”
The Taiwanese government also broadcasted historical footage of the protests—footage that remains banned in China.
🇺🇸 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Speaks Out
In Washington D.C., U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s continued denial and cover-up of the massacre.
“June 4th is not just a day on the calendar. It is a symbol of resistance against tyranny. The blood spilled in Tiananmen Square should never be forgotten—by China or the world.”
Flags at U.S. federal buildings flew at half-mast in symbolic remembrance.
🇬🇧 Vigils in London, Hong Kong Diaspora Speaks
In London, exiled Hong Kong activists and Chinese dissidents gathered outside the Chinese Embassy, holding signs that read “Tell the Truth About June 4” and “Never Forget Tiananmen.”
Former Hong Kong lawmaker Nathan Law, now exiled in the UK, said:
“The spirit of Tiananmen lives on in every freedom fighter—from Hong Kong to Xinjiang to the streets of Iran.”
🔒 Censorship in Mainland China
Meanwhile, inside China, the anniversary passed in near-total silence. Social media platforms such as Weibo and Douyin filtered keywords like "Tiananmen," "June 4," and even the candle emoji (🕯️). Access to global news outlets was heavily restricted for the day.
In Beijing, Tiananmen Square was sealed off by security forces, with heightened surveillance and checkpoints.
📜 What Happened on June 4, 1989?
The Tiananmen Square Massacre began after weeks of student-led protests calling for democratic reforms, press freedom, and anti-corruption measures. On the night of June 3–4, 1989, Chinese troops entered the square with tanks and live ammunition.
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Death toll estimates vary, with the Chinese Red Cross initially reporting 2,600 deaths, later retracted. U.S. sources suggest figures between 3,000–10,000.
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The iconic image of "Tank Man" — a lone protester standing in front of a line of tanks — became a global symbol of peaceful resistance.
🌏 Global Call for Accountability
Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch renewed calls for the Chinese government to acknowledge the massacre, release all related state documents, and compensate the victims’ families.
In a statement, Amnesty declared:
“Thirty-six years on, justice remains denied. China’s refusal to confront its past continues to haunt its present.”
💬 Voices from Across the World
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Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: “The bravery of the Tiananmen protesters reminds us that freedom is fragile and must be protected.”
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Emmanuel Macron, President of France: “The tragedy of 1989 is a stain that the world will not erase with silence.”Despite China’s ongoing censorship and suppression of memory, the legacy of Tiananmen Square persists across generations and continents. As the 36th anniversary fades into the pages of 2025, one message resounds louder than ever:
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