Australia remains concerned about constraints on freedoms in China, 30 years on from the Tiananmen Square massacre, Foreign Minister Marise Payne says.
"Thirty years ago in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, peaceful student protests were ended using military force," Senator Payne said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Australia joins the international community in remembering the tragic loss of life on 4 June 1989.
"Australia remains concerned about continuing constraints on freedom of association, expression and political participation in China."
Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the "brutal and tragic" event would always be remembered.
"Labor is a longstanding and consistent advocate for human rights and civil liberties, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly," Senator Wong said in a statement.
"This is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Australia and China are both signatories."
She noted former prime minister 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," she said.
"Labor continues to stand with them and all Chinese Australians who were affected as they mark this anniversary."
