Vigil in Reading Remembers Tiananmen Square Victims

Hongkongers, people from China and members of the public held a sombre vigil in Reading to mark the Tiananmen Square anniversary.

The 1989 crackdown followed the death of Hu Yaobang and martial law was declared on 4 June. Official Chinese figures say 241 people died in the suppression.

The 38th anniversary was marked at Reading Minster on Saturday 30 May, with more than 200 people attending. The event was organised by a Hong Kong pro-democracy group based in Wokingham and Reading, and invited guests included MPs and more than 10 local councillors.

Since the National Security Law in Hong Kong, public June 4 commemorations can no longer be held there, but Hongkongers in the UK continue to organise memorials across the country.

Andy NG Siu-hong, a former Hong Kong district councillor forced to leave for safety reasons and now a Liberal Democrat borough councillor in Wokingham, spoke at the vigil and will also speak in Sutton on Thursday 4 June.

Cllr NG Siu-hong (Liberal Democrats, Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates) said: "We will not give up commemorating this movement against authoritarianism.

"Democracy and human rights are universal values that we all share.

"From Reading to Sutton, from councils to Parliament, we must continue to pay attention to the CCP’s suppression of democracy and human rights, both inside and outside its borders. We must continue to speak out!"

Mr Jones added: "Thirty-seven years ago, thousands of people standing up for democracy in Tiananmen Square lost their lives at the hands of the Chinese Government.

"The exact number of lives lost has been deliberately censored by the Chinese Government, as have discussions across social media and public life in China. However, we expect this number to be in the thousands.

"This month, we honour the lives, memory and courage of those who stood up for democratic values.

"I was proud support those directly affected by the events of Tiananmen Square, the wider Hong Kong community, and local councillors such as cllr Ng Siu-hong at a vigil commemorating those who lost their lives.

"Since becoming the MP for Wokingham, I have worked closely with local Hong Kong communities to ensure their voices are heard in Westminster and that the issues affecting them are not forgotten.

"It was a privilege to take part in this important commemoration. I will continue to be a vocal advocate for Hong Kongers and all those who deserve the right to live safely and freely with their families in the UK."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter