Protests Planned Near Vigil Venue On June 4

Police on Thursday said they will take all necessary steps to maintain peace on June 4 after two groups informed them of protest plans near to the venue of the Tiananmen massacre vigil.

The groups – who police believe "hold opposing views" from the organisers of the June 4 candlelight vigil – will gather around Lau Sin Street in Tin Hau. As they say their gatherings will involve fewer than 50 people, they don't need to obtain police permits, officers said.

The police did not reveal the names of the two groups.

The Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which organises the annual vigil, said it is expecting tens of thousands of people to turn up at Victoria Park to mark the 29th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown.

The police refused to say how many officers they will deploy on Monday night.