This Week Unpacked. In this special episode, recorded on June 4th, 2025, we mark the 36th anniversary of the June 4th Incident. As journalists from HKCitizen.net, we delve into this pivotal historical event, which has become a day that is now largely unable to be openly discussed in Hong Kong. Our aim is to contribute to its memory and ensure it is not forgotten by future generations.

We will explore the origins of the 1989 student movement, which began with student gatherings protesting corruption and privilege and escalated significantly after the death of former Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang. We examine the Chinese Communist Party's consistent criticism and extreme censorship and suppression of the event over the past 36 years, labeling it "turmoil" or "counter-revolutionary riot". We contrast this with the unwavering commitment to remembrance by civil society, particularly by the people of Hong Kong, who for decades made Hong Kong a vital center for commemorating the Tiananmen democratic movement.

We discuss the impact of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, leading to the absence of the long-standing candlelight vigil in Victoria Park and the removal of memorial art and the closure of related museums. We also highlight how the memory is now spreading globally, with Hongkongers and others who cherish this history contributing to commemorations and awareness campaigns overseas, turning cities like Taipei into new centers for remembrance.

inally, we reflect on the hope that one day, despite immense pressure, the truth of the June 4th Incident will be fully acknowledged and the victims and their families will receive vindication.

Join us as we unpack this sensitive and crucial history.