The annual vigil commemorating victims of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, held on Monday, regularly draws local and international media attention.
This year’s vigil made headlines on the front pages of the Apple Daily, Ming Pao and the South China Morning Post. Though mostly focused on the vigil at Victoria Park, some newspapers also covered alternative student-led events or the protest march afterwards. The generational split between the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China and younger activists continues to be a source of interest.
Apple Daily – “115,000 mourn June 4”
Similar to last year’s coverage, the pro-democracy Apple Daily’s front page showed a sea of candles, with another four pages of feature articles.
Ming Pao – “Secondary school student: Even if the vigil is only ceremonial, at least it keeps the flame burning”
In its front page coverage, Ming Pao referred to the controversy, as with previous years, over whether the June 4 vigil had become “ceremonial” and out of touch with society. Interviews centred on young people and their reasons for attending.
Sing Tao Daily – “17,000 gather for June 4 vigil according to police estimate”
The pro-Beijing Singtao Daily briefly reported on the vigil on the 6th page.
Hong Kong Economic Journal – “June 4 candlelight, calls for ‘end one-party dictatorship’”
The Hong Kong Economic Journal covered the vigil on its 12th page, and mentioned the controversy over the slogan “end one-party dictatorship.”
Oriental Daily – “University student representatives miss June 4 vigil three years in a row”
The pro-Beijing Oriental Daily covered the vigil on its 19th page, and said that this year’s iteration was the worst attended since 2008, according to police figures.
South China Morning Post – “Vigil turnout beats predictions, organisers boast”
The English-language South China Morning Post featured an aerial photo of Victoria Park and a focus on what organisers deemed a healthy turnout.
Ta Kung Pao
The pro-Beijing Ta Kung Pao did not cover the vigil or the anniversary of the massacre. Its front page reported on China’s Xi Jinping supporting Hong Kong’s innovative businesses.
Our Tiananmen Massacre anniversary coverage this week:
- Exclusive, unseen shots from Tiananmen 1989 – Part 1 of 2.
- Exclusive, unseen shots from Tiananmen 1989 – Part 1 of 2.
- 115,000 attend Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Massacre vigil, organisers say.
- Tiananmen vigil continues tradition of condemning China’s ‘one-party dictatorship’.
- Absence of student groups divides opinion at Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Massacre vigil.
- Vigil shows that Hong Kong respects and upholds freedom, says Chief Exec.
- Dozens attend ‘alternative’ English-language vigil, marking 29 years since massacre.
- Sister of late Tiananmen activist Li Wangyang thanks HK for demanding justice.
- ¥64.89 transactions banned on June 4 anniversary, as US demands death toll.
- Families of Tiananmen victims urge ‘truth, compensation, and accountability.
- ‘Remember the tragic loss’: US, China tussle over Tiananmen anniversary.
