Regime Clamps Lid on Beijing on Anniversary

China’s Communist leaders, aided by a convenient state visit by Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk, slammed a tight lid on Beijing on Friday’s fifth anniversary of the 1989 Tian An Men Square crackdown.

The capital’s campus district, birthplace of the 1989 pro-democracy movement that sent millions into the streets of Beijing and other cities, was under a major security lock-down to keep fading memories from spilling into renewed protest.

Tian An Men Square, where tanks and troops killed unarmed demonstrators five years ago, was awash with flags and security personnel to mark Sihanouk’s visit and snuff out any possible foolhardy attempts at commemoration.

Honor guard guns boomed over the vast concrete expanse at the heart of Beijing as Sihanouk, who visits the city so often he has a residence here, laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

The square remained open after nightfall, but crowds were thin and there was no sign of unusual activity.