EU Urges Beijing To Lift Silence On Tiananmen

The European Union on Tuesday urged China to lift the veil of silence it has dropped over the Tiananmen Square massacre, saying it must acknowledge those killed or imprisoned in the bloody events of 1989.

On the 30th anniversary of the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests in Beijing, the EU called for the release of human rights activists detained by the mainland authorities.

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc "continues to mourn" those killed in the "brutal repression" at Tiananmen.

"The exact numbers of those who died and were detained on 4 June and in the subsequent crackdown have never been confirmed, and may never be known," Mogherini said in a statement.

"Acknowledgement of these events, and of those killed, detained or missing in connection with the Tiananmen Square protests, is important for future generations and for the collective memory."

Mogherini's statement comes as the EU charts a tricky balancing act in its relations with China, seeking to press Beijing to improve its human rights record without alienating it.

Europe also hopes to make a partner of China in its efforts to maintain the multilateral global trading system in the face of US President Donald Trump's "America First" approach, while fretting about Beijing's subsidies to its industries, particularly steel. (AFP)