The United Nations says it is “alarmed” after dozens of people were detained in Hong Kong on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Police detained 23 people on Sunday for “breaching public peace” as authorities tightened security on vigils marking the bloody crackdown by Chinese troops on pro-democracy protesters more than three decades ago.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday called for the released of anyone arrested for “exercising freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing firmly suppported Hong Kong authorities in their efforts to maintain security and stability.
Mr Wang said the Chinese government had “long come to a clear conclusion regarding the political turmoil that occurred in the late 1980s”.
“I also want to emphasize that any attempt to use this as an excuse to smear China and interfere in its internal affairs will not succeed,” he added.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that “today’s Hong Kong is moving from chaos to stability and prosperity along the right track of "one country, two systems”.
“External forces” including the United States should uphold international law and stop “futile political manipulation” over Hong Kong to contain China, a ministry spokesperson said.
At least eight people were detained near Victoria Park, where for years after 1989 democracy activists gathered on the Tiananmen Square anniversary.
Among them was artist Sanmu Chan, who chanted “Do not forget June 4. Hongkongers don’t be scared” as police led him away on Saturday evening.
Activists say such police action is part of a campaign by China to end dissent in the city.
Hundreds of police conducted stop-and-search operations and deployed armoured vehicles near the park.
