As the world marked the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown today, the US pressed China to account for those killed, detained, or missing following the pro-democracy protests against the Communist regime in 1989.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "Twenty-five years ago, the United States deplored the use of violence to silence the voices of the peaceful demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square.
"Twenty-five years later, the United States continues to honour the memories of those who gave their lives in and around Tiananmen Square and throughout China."
In a statement issued on the anniversary, Carney said the US will always speak out in support of the basic freedoms the protesters sought, including the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press, and the freedoms of association and assembly.
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.
