On the 3rd (local time), one day before the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, a performance artist in Hong Kong who attempted a memorial performance was stopped by police.

According to AP that day, Hong Kong performance artist Sanmu Chen tried to tie a red thread to a road sign in the busy district of Causeway Bay but was stopped by police and had his belongings searched. Police released him after the search.

The red thread used by Chen measured 6.4m, symbolizing June 4, the date of the Tiananmen crackdown. He told reporters that being watched when trying to speak or act is a very abnormal situation.

Victoria Park near Causeway Bay had for decades been the site of large-scale candlelight vigils held every June 4. Hong Kong had been the only city in China where large public commemorations took place.

However, after gatherings were banned in 2020 citing COVID-19, it became difficult to hold public Tiananmen-related commemorations in Hong Kong. After the lifting of COVID restrictions, an annual event organized by pro-Beijing groups has been held in Victoria Park. This year as well, from the 3rd to the 7th, a pro-Beijing group will hold the Gohyang Market event. AP reported that over the past three years, some citizens were detained after attempting acts of remembrance there.

On the 3rd (local time), Hong Kong performance artist Sanmu Chen looks at a 6.4m red thread symbolizing the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown in the bustling Causeway Bay district. AP Yonhap News