DHAKA: Beijing tightened security around Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, the 25th anniversary of the June 4, 1989, crackdown on student-led protests.

Dozens of riot police and police patrol cars could be seen parked around the square, as well as at intersections several blocks away on the avenue of Eternal Peace.

‘This time 25 years ago today you could not enter Tiananmen Square as a journalist. And 25 years on you still can’t,’ said Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing.

‘This really is a reflection of the official nervousness for this very sensitive anniversary. They are trying to erase all public memory of what happened here 25 years ago.’

Despite the date’s sensitivity, operations at the square seemed to resume as they would on a normal day.

Activists and commentators said China’s determination to quell any mention of the event is especially strong this year, and authorities have made mass arrests just before the anniversary.

BDST: 1300 HRS, JUNE 04, 2014