IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 994 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning threats 
to Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy on the 31st anniversary of 
the violent repression of the peaceful protests centered in Beijing’s 
Tiananmen Square. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 4, 2020 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mrs. HARTZLER, Mr. 
MCADAMS, and Mr. SUOZZI) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives con-
demning threats to Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy 
on the 31st anniversary of the violent repression of the 
peaceful protests centered in Beijing’s Tiananmen 
Square. 
Whereas the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square mas-
sacre is an especially poignant milestone, particularly as 
the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative 
Region of the People’s Republic of China (‘‘Hong Kong’’) 
and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong are 
currently under threat by possible national security legis-
lation from the Government of the People’s Republic of 
China (‘‘China’’); 
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•HRES 994 IH 
Whereas, during the spring of 1989, an estimated 1,000,000 
people engaged in Tiananmen Square protests and citi-
zens in over 400 Chinese cities staged similar protests, 
including among many others, students, workers, aca-
demics, journalists and government employees; 
Whereas the peaceful demonstrations of 1989 called upon the 
Government of China to eliminate corruption, accelerate 
economic and political reform, and protect human rights, 
particularly the freedoms of expression and assembly, 
issues that remain relevant in United States-China rela-
tions 31 years later; 
Whereas, on June 4, 1989, troops of the People’s Liberation 
Army, at the behest of Chinese Communist Party leader-
ship, attacked Tiananmen Square to repress demonstra-
tors, crushing defenseless protestors with tanks and fir-
ing on them indiscriminately, killing hundreds or possibly 
thousands of individuals; 
Whereas, since June 4, 1989, the Government of China cen-
sors information about the Tiananmen Square protests in 
1989 and imprisons and harasses its own citizens who at-
tempt to discuss or commemorate Tiananmen Square 
protests and their violent suppression; 
Whereas, the Tiananmen Mothers—a group in China com-
posed of parents and family members of individuals killed 
on or around June 4, 1989, have annually called upon 
the Government of China to reveal the truth of the 
events; 
Whereas people of mainland China and Macau are again 
barred this year from commemorating the lives lost and 
the legacy of the 1989 massacre; 
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•HRES 994 IH 
Whereas, the Government of China continues to view the de-
mands of the Tiananmen protesters, including democ-
racy, transparency, rights protections, and freedom of 
speech, as threats to the legitimacy of the Chinese Com-
munist Party’s hold on political power; 
Whereas the people of Hong Kong have commemorated the 
Tiananmen massacre each year faithfully in large num-
bers; 
Whereas the Hong Kong Police Force has refused to author-
ize the annual candlelight vigil to commemorate 
Tiananmen this year; 
Whereas Hong Kong’s guaranteed freedoms and the rule of 
law have allowed it to be a prosperous bridge between 
mainland China and the world; 
Whereas Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms have been 
eroded by the actions of the Government of Hong Kong 
and the Government of China, particularly over the past 
several years, with disqualifications of elected members of 
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, blocking citizens from 
running for office, failing to address the petitions of the 
Hong Kong people, banning a political party advocating 
Hong Kong independence, and failing to address police 
excessive use of force; 
Whereas, the political turmoil in Hong Kong is primarily the 
result of actions of the Government of Hong Kong and 
the Government of China and their failure to accommo-
date or recognize the lawful desire of the people of Hong 
Kong for preserving their autonomy and democratic 
rights and privileges, including selection of the chief exec-
utive by universal suffrage as provided for in the Basic 
Law and the Joint Declaration of the Government of the 
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