On May 27, 2023, the “Recalling June 4th, Looking Towards the Future” – the 34th Anniversary International Symposium on June 4th was held at the Royal National Hotel in London, organized by China Observer UK and Voice of Europe Germany. Representatives from various countries and international human rights organizations attended the conference. The purpose of this conference was to review and discuss the events that took place on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China in 1989, and to call for greater support and attention to China’s human rights and democratic progress.

The symposium consisted of an on-site session in the morning and an online session in the afternoon. At the beginning of the conference, Mr. Huang Hua, an advisor to the UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, introduced the purpose and agenda of the conference. Mr. Wang Guanru, Chairman of the UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, delivered the opening speech. Mr. Wang Min, Chairman of the National United Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, Ms. Liao Tianqi, Vice Chairman of the International PEN Peace Committee and President of Voice of Europe, Archbishop Dr. Abraham Costakis Evangelou MBE from the UK, renowned sinologist Prof. Marie Holzman from France, Mr. Sonam Tsering, Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration in the UK, Mr. Roland Kuhne, Teacher and Pastor at Rhein-Maas University of Applied Sciences in Germany, Mr. Michael Leh, Director of an international human rights organization, renowned exiled British writer Ma Jian, Mr. Cheng Wenjie, Head of the Hong Kong and Overseas Chinese Association in the UK, Mr. Pan Yongzhong, Editor-in-Chief of Voice of Europe, Convenor and Secretary General of the Democratic China Front, Mr. Jiang Yushan, Secretary-General of the UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, gave speeches from different perspectives. They provided detailed insights into the background and development of the June 4th incident, describing the peaceful protests by students and citizens at that time, as well as the subsequent repression by the Chinese government. They emphasized that the June 4th incident was not only a major tragedy in Chinese history but also a significant challenge to global human rights values. They called on the international community to continue to pay attention to China’s human rights situation and take stronger actions against the Chinese government.

A highlight of the conference was the speeches by renowned human rights activists from outside China. With their personal experiences and insights, they passionately spoke about the impact of the June 4th incident on Chinese society and the international community. They urged the international community to stand united and continue to fight for human rights and democracy in China, expressing their admiration for the courage and perseverance of the Chinese people.

In the afternoon online session, the speakers included Mr. Wei Jingsheng, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, Ambassador Shieh Jhy-wey from Taiwan Embassy in Germany, student leader Wang Dan from the 1989 Democracy Movement, renowned theorist and honorary editor-in-chief of Beijing Spring magazine Hu Ping, Member of the European Parliament Mr. Reinhard Butikofer, Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration in Taiwan Gesang Jamyang, Mr. Wang Juntao, Chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party, Chairman Xihaiming of the Southern Mongolian Greater Khural and Chairman of the Inner Mongolian People’s Party, Mr. Benedict Rogers, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of the UK Conservative Party, Ms. Huang Ciping, Secretary-General of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Movement Joint Conference, Mr. Jiang Yang Ciren, Editor-in-Chief of the Tibet Page at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Information of the Central Tibetan Administration, Ms. Wang Anna, Chairman of Light Media, water conservancy expert Wang Weiluo, Convenor of the Democratic China Front Headquarters Mr. Wang Jinzhong, Secretary-General of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Movement Joint Conference Mr. Jiang Fuzhen, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party Mr. Chen Liqun, Convenor of the Democratic China Front Mr. Liang Youcan, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Movement Joint Conference Mr. Chen Zhonghe.

After the online session in the afternoon, the participants walked to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in London to hold a demonstration and protest. The atmosphere at the event was passionate, with participants holding various banners and slogans such as “Remember June 4th,” “Down with the CCP,” and “Down with Xi Jinping.” The event was filled with a sense of sadness and anger. During the protest, speeches were delivered by Ms. Liao Tianqi, Prof. Marie Holzman from France, representatives of the Southern Mongolian community, exiled writer Ma Jian, and members of the UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party Chen Bin and Liao Liuyan. They expressed deep respect for the victims of the June 4th incident and strongly condemned and denounced the Chinese Communist Party. They strongly called for the early disclosure of the truth and the punishment and accountability of the wrongdoers in the Chinese Communist Party. Although 34 years have passed, the June 4th incident remains an unresolved issue, with profound implications for the historical memory of the Chinese people and freedom of speech. We firmly believe that through our unity and efforts, the truth of June 4th will not be covered up, and the wounds of history will be healed.

The members of the UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party who participated in this event include: Wang Guanru, Huang Hua, Jiang Yushan, Yazhou Lyu, Lin Lijun, Liu Kun, Wang Wei, Zhang Weisheng, Wei Chenyu, Yu Gang, Liao Liuyan, Gu Xiaofeng, Jin Xuecen, Chen Mingwang, Yu Weiliang, Yang Yi, Cui Shaohua, Chen Bin, and others.

Reported by Chen Bin, UK Headquarters of the China Democratic Party.