Hong Kong marks Tiananmen deaths

Hong Kong is the only place in China to mark the 1989 events

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.

Live issue

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.

1989 TIANANMEN EVENTS 15 April: Reformist leader Hu Yaobang dies 22 April: Hu's memorial service. Thousands call for faster reforms 13 May: Students begin hunger strike as power struggle grips Communist Party 15 May: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev visits China 19 May: Zhao makes tearful appeal to students in Tiananmen Square to leave 20 May: Martial law declared in Beijing 3-4 June: Security forces clear the square, killing hundreds

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.

On Friday, human rights group Amnesty International called on the country to free those imprisoned during the protests.

"Tiananmen clearly remains very much alive today for the Chinese public and the demands by Chinese citizens for justice continue," the London-based rights group said.

Correspondents say the issue remains very sensitive for the ruling Communist Party and those who witnessed or took part in the events.

But the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says the incident has much less significance for the younger generation, in their 20s.