Hong Kong’s forcedly silent June 4th

Neither vigil in Victoria Park nor masses of suffrage for the victims of the repression of Beijing 34 years ago. The authorities threaten to apply strict control against “acts that endanger national security.” Along with political freedom in Hong Kong, the hope and joy of the people have also been abolished. The meeting in prison with Lee Cheuk-yan, who for years was the soul of the commemorations: even behind bars he remains a free and strong man.

Milan () – Every year since 1990, June 4 has been a fundamental date for Hong Kong. The city was the only place in the world where the “Tiananmen Square Massacre”, which took place in Beijing on June 4, 1989 (with incidents and victims also in other cities in China), was commemorated in an organized manner and with strong participation. Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and social status gathered in Victoria Park, and gave life to a show of light, life, active citizenship, songs and emotion, testimonials from the families of the victims.

It was Hong Kong at its best: a large and peaceful people who only asked for freedom and democracy. It continued even after 1997, when Hong Kong became part of China again, retaining a “high degree of autonomy” and under the principle of “one country, two systems”. Nor did the massive popular participation ever wane. Young people also attended: it was a great sign of confidence and hope, for Hong Kong and for China.

The founder and head of this concentration was, for many years, the charismatic leader Szeto Wah, much loved by the people. When he died in 2011, he was replaced by trade unionist and parliamentarian Lee Cheuk-yan, currently jailed for an “illegal assembly” and awaiting trial on even more serious charges.

Since 2020, the vigil in Victoria Park has been considered illegal: first under the comfortable justification of the pandemic; later due to the application of the National Security Law, which entered into force on July 1, 2020. A law that put an end to the movement, parties, and democratic-based organizations. To try to hide the vacuum this year, the pro-Beijing associations obtained permission to organize a fair between June 3 and 5 in Victoria Park, something they describe as a mere “coincidence”. But the truth is that, along with political freedom, the hope and joy of the people have been abolished.

The Catholic Church, thanks to the Justice and Peace Commission, organized an ecumenical prayer in Victoria Park an hour before the great concentration. Holy Masses were also celebrated in suffrage and commemoration of the victims. These acts were very heartfelt and many faithful attended, with Card. Joseph Zen as protagonist. Even in 2021, despite the dramatic change in the political climate and the National Security Law already in force, commemorative Holy Masses had been celebrated in seven churches, with a large participation of the people. But not anymore, and this year less than ever.

The diocese prayed for the Church in China on May 24, during the day of prayer instituted by Benedict XVI. In his message, Mons. Stephen Chow, describing the apostolic community, underlined the importance of the prayer that the Chinese Catholic community directs to Mary, Help of Christians, to obtain the strength to face what the future holds.

The diocese, through Fr. Thomas Law, responsible for liturgical life, invited the faithful to live inwardly on June 4, which this year falls on a Sunday, remembering what they wish to remember. “I will attend the parish mass,” a Hong Kong activist wrote to me, “this year the commemoration will be only in my heart.” Meanwhile, the courageous Justice and Peace Commission suffered a significant reduction in its objectives and even changed its name. Perhaps as a protective measure.

The authorities do not want exceptions to silence. Security Secretary (ie Home Secretary) Chris Tang has peremptorily threatened to crack down heavily on those who use June 4 to commit “acts endangering national security.” He was referring specifically to those who call for Hong Kong independence (a matter totally unrelated to the democracy movement) and to those who act to subvert central power. It is an explicit and intimidating reference to the crimes contemplated in the National Security Law. In fact, it rains, it pours: in recent years, activists who had tried to commemorate the event through sudden and small rallies have been detained or dispersed by the police, and some of them sentenced to severe penalties.

In the middle of Victoria Park, during the 31 editions of the vigil, the “Pillar of Shame” was placed, an 8-meter-high statue by the Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot, representing the Tiananmen martyrs. The statue, which was normally housed at the University of Hong Kong, has been removed for good. In recent days, the police also reportedly seized it because they tried to include it in a subversive exhibition in Yuan Long, a remote town in the New Territories.

We have said and written it before, we can only repeat it: political freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, academic freedom and freedom of association have ended in Hong Kong. The number of people leaving the city is considerable. The numerous hordes of citizens, entire families with small children and many young people making their way peacefully and hopefully to Victoria Park on the evening of June 4 seem like a memory from another time, from another life. However, that was the case until a few years ago, until 2019.

On March 25, I visited Lee Cheuk-yan, the main protagonist of the aforementioned Tiananmen vigils, one of the most notorious jailed and convicted democratic leaders, in Stanley prison. His first experience of imprisonment was in 1989 in Beijing, where he had gone to bring the solidarity of the Hong Kong people to the Tiananmen students. Upon his return to Hong Kong, Lee lived his life as a Chinese citizen and as a Christian, trade unionist and parliamentarian committed to freedom, democracy and justice. Now his ideals were defeated in all areas. Our jail meeting lasted only 15 minutes and there was glass between us. Picking up the phone, I wondered what words to say to encourage him. It was not necessary. It was he who gave me courage. I found a free and strong man.

* PIME missionary and sinologist

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