Survey on June Fourth Incident and Related Issues Released by Public Opinion Research Project for Hong Kongers
27 Feb 2026
The Public Opinion Research Project for Domestic and Overseas Hongkongers conducted an online survey from late May to early August on public sentiment regarding the June Fourth Incident and related issues. After excluding incomplete questionnaires and automated responses, 1,101 valid responses were received.
The sample size was adequate, but since it was collected through a voluntary online questionnaire, it was not randomly selected and may be subject to bias.Overall, the sample showed a higher proportion of male respondents (66%) compared to females (34%). Educational attainment was relatively high, with approximately 81% holding a university degree or higher. A significant proportion resided overseas: approximately 43% in the UK, 26% in Hong Kong, followed by Canada (13%), Australia (5%), the US (4%), and Taiwan (4%).Among respondents, 9% were aged 18-30, 27% aged 31-45, 38% aged 46-60, and 23% aged 61-75, with smaller proportions in other age groups.
Overall, the majority of respondents supported the exoneration of the June Fourth incident and the holding of related commemorative activities. Ninety-five percent expressed support for exonerating June Fourth, with only 1% opposing it. Simultaneously, 92% believed holding June Fourth commemorative activities was "meaningful," while only 3% considered them "meaningless." Over 90% of respondents who had previously supported exonerating June Fourth indicated they would continue to support it in the next five years.However, opinions diverged significantly on whether to continue advocating for democracy and human rights in China, particularly regarding the responsibilities of local Hong Kong residents versus those who have emigrated overseas. Most respondents believed emigrated Hong Kongers should support the rehabilitation of the June Fourth incident (86% should: 1% should not), but fewer believed those remaining in Hong Kong should support it (59% should: 6% should not).Similarly, regarding responsibility for promoting China's democratic development, a higher proportion of respondents believed overseas Hong Kongers had a responsibility (51%) than those residing in Hong Kong (34%). This indicates a general tendency among respondents to believe that Hong Kongers living abroad should play a greater role in the June Fourth rehabilitation and China's democracy issues.
Cross-tabulation analysis reveals that regardless of gender (male, female), age (30 or younger, 31-45, 46-60, 61 or older), education level (secondary school graduate or below, post-secondary or bachelor's degree holder, master's degree or higher holder), or place of residence (UK, Hong Kong,Canada, Australia, the United States, Taiwan), respondents' views on most issues were quite similar. Significant differences were mainly observed in the following areas: younger respondents were more likely to believe that Hong Kong people have no responsibility to help China, and respondents residing overseas were more likely to believe that Hong Kong people in Hong Kong have no responsibility to help China.