Thousands of protesters held vigils and demonstrations in Hong Kong, as well as in Taiwan and Japan, on Thursday in remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
The big picture: The 31st anniversary of the bloody crackdown comes amid China's plans to implement a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong that could dramatically constrain Hong Kong's autonomy and provoke fierce backlash from pro-democracy activists, Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and Dave Lawler report.
Protesters light candles in Victoria Park. Photo: Willie Siau/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Protesters at Liberty Square in Taipei City, Taiwan on June 4. Photo: Ceng Shou Yi/NurPhoto via Getty Images
A vigil in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong on June 4. Photo: Miguel Candela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Pillar of Shame cleaned and decorated with flowers. Photo: Belinda Jilao/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Protesters hold candles inscribed with the word "truth" in Victoria Park. Photo: Geovien So/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Protesters in Victoria Park, Hong Kong on June 4. Photo: Tommy Walker/NurPhoto via Getty Images
People climb over a toppled barricade as they attend a vigil in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. Photo: Yan Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
Undercover police arrest protesters at a vigil in Mongkok, Hong Kong on June 4. Photo: Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images
Vigil attendees in a church on June 4 in Hong Kong. Photo: Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images
Thousands at a vigil in Victoria Park on June 4. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters outside the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Viola Kam/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
