US asks China to account for those killed at Tiananmen Square

These freedoms - enshrined in the US Constitution, the Chinese Constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – are values the United States champions around the world, he said.

Carney said the US praises China's “extraordinary social and economic progress” over the past three decades and value good relations with the Chinese people and government.  “Even as we continue our cooperation on areas of common interest, the United States will continue to be clear about our differences, and urge the Chinese government to guarantee the universal rights and fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of all Chinese citizens,” Carney said.  

Earlier, the US asked China to release those detained ahead of the 25th anniversary of the crackdown. China has detained at least 10 “activists” fearing demonstrations.  Responding to international criticism, China has cited the progress made in the last three decades to justify the crackdown on pro-democracy student movement asserting that there are no dissidents but only law-breakers in the country.

 “In China there are only law breakers no dissidents as you mentioned,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.  The crackdown by Chinese authorities at the Square in Beijing resulted in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed civilians—and by some estimates, more than 1,000.  China tries hard to quash any public memories of the June 3-4, 1989, crackdown.