'June 4 Commemoration To Be Judged Case-by-case'

Security secretary Chris Tang said on Sunday that authorities would take into consideration a number of factors when judging whether it is legal for people to commemorate the ending of the student-led protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989, but stressed that they could not attempt to overturn the government.

Speaking on a television programme, Tang was asked if he would advise people to stop commemorating June 4 and taking part in any related assemblies, after the organiser of the annual candlelight vigil disbanded.

He said the matter should be judged on a case-by-case basis, for example, whether the participants had threatened national security, whether they are working for foreign governments and if any interests are involved.

He noted that people’s freedom of expression and assembly is protected under the Basic Law and the national security law.

“If you simply express your views in accordance with the laws, I can’t see any problems. People are allowed to have opposing views but they can’t attempt to overturn the government,” he said.

He said Hong Kong had become relatively peaceful after the implementation of the national security law, but it could not be complacent as the United States still wants to use the SAR to restrain the mainland’s development.

The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, meanwhile, demanded the United States and other countries to stop interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs.

He was responding to a list published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing of what it called instances of Washington’s interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and support for anti-China forces.

Writing on his blog, Chan criticised the United States for smearing Hong Kong and imposing unreasonable punishment on officials here.