Today is the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown.
It was a brutal and tragic event. It will always be remembered.
We recognise this is a particularly difficult time for many in the Australian Chinese community.
In the immediate aftermath Bob Hawke granted thousands of Chinese students permission to stay in Australia. Later becoming permanent residents, they have made substantial contributions to Australia and to the strong ties between our two countries.
Labor continues to stand with them and all Chinese Australians who were affected as they mark this anniversary.
Labor is a longstanding and consistent advocate for human rights and civil liberties, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. This is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Australia and China are both signatories.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.