Hong Kong marks Tiananmen deaths
Last Updated: Saturday, 4 June, 2005, 17:00 GMT 18:00 UK

Tens of thousands in Hong Kong have held a vigil on the 16th anniversary of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

Protesters sang songs and listened to speeches in China's only commemoration of events in the capital, Beijing.

Hundreds were killed when troops moved in to suppress a demonstration for more political freedoms in the country.

In Beijing, security has been stepped up with police officers patrolling the square to avoid protests.

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Vigil organisers in Hong Kong say there is still a strong feeling about what happened in 1989.

They want the current Chinese leadership to reassess the way their predecessors dealt with the protests.

But analysts say the government is unlikely to do so, for fear of the possible reaction.

Beijing has consistently defended its decision to use force against the student demonstration.

The BBC's Chris Hogg in Hong Kong says extra police ensured there were no protests in Tiananmen Square itself.

He says China is always nervous about this anniversary and does its utmost to ensure there is no opportunity to commemorate its bloody crackdown on its own people anywhere apart from in Hong Kong.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4608763.stm