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Natalie Wong

Hong Kong authorities will take action against anyone who threatens national security, the chief executive has warned, as the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown approaches.
Asked about the legality of commemorating June 4 by lighting candles or wearing clothing with related slogans in Causeway Bay, where annual vigils had been held for decades, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said all activities must comply with the law.
“Any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements. No one should violate the law,” Lee said on Tuesday, a day ahead of the anniversary, without mentioning the historical incident.
“Therefore, enforcement agencies will take resolute and stringent action against illegal acts, in accordance with the law.”
Lee was the first official to comment on the government’s stance on commemorative activities in 2025, a year after the city’s domestic national security law went into effect.
“I reiterate that acts endangering national security are serious crimes,” Lee said before a weekly meeting of the city’s top decision-making body, the Executive Council.
“The government must abide by the law and enforce the law to target behaviours and activities that endanger national security.”

He did not mention how such commemorative activities might breach the national security laws. In 2020, Beijing imposed legislation to punish secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign or external forces.
In 2024, the city enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance as officials pointed to the need to fill legal loopholes.
On Tuesday afternoon, a sizeable number of police officers were seen patrolling near Victoria Park, where annual candlelight vigils were held to remember the victims of the crackdown. For the third consecutive year, the site is being used by pro-Beijing groups to hold a food carnival around June 4.
The Tiananmen Square crackdown took place in 1989 in Beijing and involved a violent military operation against protesters who were calling for greater democracy and government transparency.
The reported death toll varies, from the official count of about 300 to the tally from the Beijing Independent Student Union – one of the first groups involved in the protests – of around 4,000.
June 4 has been a taboo subject in mainland China. In Hong Kong, an annual large-scale candlelight vigil was permitted until 2020, when authorities banned the event, citing Covid-19 health concerns.
The vigil’s organiser, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, has since disbanded.


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Hong Kong

Politics

City leader says any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements, adding no one should violate the law


City leader says any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements, adding no one should violate the law.


‘Hong Kong will take action against illegal acts,’ John Lee says ahead of June 4

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City leader says any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements, adding no one should violate the law

City leader says any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements, adding no one should violate the law