Tiananmen tense on rally anniversary

Chinese security personnel have swamped Beijing's Tiananmen Square on the 25th anniversary of the massacre of hundreds of protesters.

Dozens of police cars were parked around the square and journalists were followed as they drove to the area.

In the run-up to the anniversary dozens of people have been detained.

The 1989 protesters wanted political reform, but the crackdown was ordered after hardliners won a power struggle within the ruling Communist Party.

The authorities classify the 1989 protests as counter-revolutionary riots and hold no memorial.

In Hong Kong, however, thousands are expected to take part in a Tiananmen remembrance rally.

Activist groups in Taiwan are also marking the anniversary by erecting a huge image of Tiananmen Square during the crackdown.

Police have been watchful around central Beijing, but no protest was expected

A vigil was held in Hong Kong on Tuesday evening, with a bigger rally planned for later

In the weeks before this year's anniversary, the Chinese authorities have detained lawyers, journalists and activists.

Rights group Amnesty International said in a statement that 66 people had been detained, questioned, or have gone missing.

Internet search terms related to the 1989 massacre and the protests have been blocked, and access on Google has reportedly been restricted.

Tiananmen protests

From 1978, China opened up its economy to the world, but Communists maintained total control over politics
In 1989, hundreds of thousands gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to call for political reform
Protesters remained in the square for weeks while a power struggle raged within the ruling Communist Party
Hardliners prevailed and gave the order to remove the protesters by force; hundreds were massacred in nearby streets

The protests were the biggest rally against Communist rule since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.

Hundreds of thousands called for democratic reforms in a peaceful demonstration largely focused on a gathering in Tiananmen Square.

After six weeks of protests, the authorities responded on 4 June 1989 with a massacre of hundreds in the streets of Beijing.