June 4 Vigil Is Still Important, Says Chu Hoi-dick

Independent legislator Chu Hoi-dick has called on people to join the annual June the 4th candlelight vigil in Victoria Park to exercise their political freedom in the face of growing pressure from Beijing.

He said this year's ceremony is particularly significant following the appointment of Xi Jinping to a second term as president. Speaking on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, Chu said a new level of political censorship has come with the state leader's reappointment.

"For the first time high-level officials from Beijing have repeatedly declared that whoever chants the slogan 'end one party rule' cannot hold public office in Hong Kong and shall be disqualified from local elections.

"Not only people in the political circle are affected. Beijing is determined to import mainland legal thoughts and practices into Hong Kong in order to tighten its control."

Chu also said that he is disappointed that local universities are not marking the Tiananmen crackdown

"It is a pity to hear that all university students' organisations are not having any events to commemorate the June 4th massacre due to their localist ideology. In my opinion, to commemorate the June 4th massacre does not equal to Chinese patriotism.

"It is to remind the world about the nature of the communist party regime. It is about breaking the suffocating atmosphere of political self-censorship and blackmailing in Hong Kong. It is also about seeking international support to stop the authoritarian state from getting more political influence."