The State Department raised the issue of human rights with China on Sunday, the 28th anniversary of the protests in Tiananmen Square.

“We call again on China to make a full accounting of those killed, detained, or missing due to the events of June 4, 1989,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE said in a statment.

“We urge China to cease harassment of family members seeking redress and to release from prison those who have been jailed for striving to keep the memory of Tiananmen Square alive.”

The Chinese military killed hundreds of student-led protesters and detained thousands more during a crackdown in the square on June 4, 1989.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tillerson on Sunday also called on “the Chinese government to respect the universal rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens.”

His statement follows criticism over an address he gave to State Department employees last month.

Tillerson, in that address, drew a distinction between a nation’s policies and values.

"I think it’s really important that all of us understand the difference between policy and values, and in some circumstances, we should and do condition our policy engagements on people adopting certain actions as to how they treat people," Tillerson said at the time. "We should demand that. But that doesn’t mean that’s the case in every situation."