Hong Kong pro-democracy activists will mark the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, fearing that the activity may probably be the last once a controversial security law is enacted in the territory.
Activists are expecting a high turnout at this year's annual candle-light vigil -- organised by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China -- believing that many would come to show their discontent over the proposal to enact anti-subversion laws.
Under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the territory is obliged to pass legislation banning treason, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets.
However, pro-democracy groups fear China could use the new law to suppress freedoms, including those of media, speech and religion.
The proposed law has already proved deeply divisive in Hong Kong, prompting mass protests last December both for and against the legislation.
Fears that the June 4 commemoration could be banned have resurfaced as the Hong Kong government worked to have the controversial law on the books by next month.
The question whether Hong Kong's candle-lighting and singing in memory of the Tiananmen Square dead is seen as a challenge to China's national security remains unanswered.
Pro-democracy activists fear that if the law is enacted, future protests could meet a similar fate as in Beijing in 1989, when hundreds, if not thousands of peaceful demonstrators were killed as the People's Liberation Army dispersed the pro-democracy protestors.
The bloodshed triggered an intense reaction in Hong Kong. Almost one million people -- one out of every six Hong Kong citizens -- took to the streets.
Tsoi Yiu-cheong, who led the Civil and Human Rights Front set up to fight Article 23, said, "I believe there will be more people showing up this year to mark June 4 event and to show their opposition of Article 23."
Tsoi said China did not want Hong Kong to become "a subversive group" aimed at toppling the communist-led government in Beijing.
He said the commemoration of the Tiananmen massacre was "closely-linked with the anti-subversion law," and if the law were enacted, it could be the last such pro-democracy activity ever held in Hong Kong.
"We shall not let the evil law be enacted as it will curtail our freedom," he said. "We will continue to carry out the June 4 commemoration even to the extend of engaging in civil disobedience."
Pro-democracy legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, who pledged to carry on commemorating June 4, said, "It doesn't matter what the government thinks of our activities, even with the enactment of the ant-subversion law."
"We are optimistic that there will be a huge turnout on Wednesday as people are angry by the subversion law," said Lee, adding, "We believe the people of Hong Kong will dare to speak out if the law infringes their basic freedom and human rights."
Close to 45,000 Hong Kong citizens turned out for last year's commemoration in Victoria Park, defying claims that Hong Kong was gradually forgetting June 4.
Hong Kong remains the only city under Chinese sovereignty where demonstrations and candlelit vigils are held to mark the event.
Veteran Chinese pro-democracy activist Lau Cheng-shan, who was jailed between 1981 and 1991, was determined in his commitment to fight for democracy in both Hong Kong and China.
"We will not be frightened by the anti-subversion law," he said.
"It is our freedom at stake."
Analysts say pro-democracy activities will continue to be tolerated to a certain extent, despite the enactment of the anti-subversion law.
Sonny Lo, a political scientist at the University of Hong Kong, said, "It will be tolerated as the Hong Kong and Beijing want to show the world the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems'" policy, in which Hong Kong is granted some degree of autonomy.
"(But) the national security law is targeted at pro-democracy activists and groups. Their action should not cross the bottom line of tolerance of Beijing," Lo said.
"I think the turnout will reach the high of 1997," said Lo, crediting the mobilization by religious groups, trade unions and political parties.
According to Alliance's figures, the first June 4 commemoration was attended by some 150,000 in 1990, and the figure fell to 45,000 in 1996.
In 1997, the attendance rose to 55,000 as Beijing was set to take control of the former British colony.