The next generation will not be allowed to forget

The BBC's Matt Frei reports from Hong Kong on the fears of democrats in the colony Dur: 3'33"

Thousands in Hong Kong Mark Tianamen Massacre

The vigil took place around a giant sculpture known as the "Pillar of Shame". The sculpture depicts the hundreds of people killed by Chinese troops who opened fire on unarmed student protestors.

Organisers of the demonstration fear it could be the last of its kind before Hong Kong is returned to Chinese rule at the end of this month. But Martin Lee, the leader of Hong Kong's Democracy Party said, "I think this is the last time it will be allowed, but most people will come, they will just come next year."

In Beijing, where the massacre took place eight years ago, tight security has been imposed around university campuses and the homes of known dissidents.

The Pillar of Shame

The Tiananmen Square pro-democracy demonstrations 1989 were the largest-ever organised challenge to Communist rule in China.

The authorities only managed to defuse the challenge they posed by sending tanks and troops to clear the Square, killing hundreds of unarmed young people in the process.

Afterwards, China's Communist leadership insisted that the demonstrations constituted a counter-revolutionary rebellion and that the army had no choice but to put them down with force.

It is an argument that carries little weight with the residents of Beijing who witnessed the massacre at first hand.

Mr Lee said that Mr Tung, the man appointed to lead Hong Kong by the Chinese after the take-over, should "have come here tonight to see how peaceful the people are. It was not a counter-revolutionary or criminal movement. It was a patriotic movement."

Mr Lee, has urged the Prime Minister, Tony Blair to attend the handover ceremony, but to boycott the swearing in of a China appointed legislator.

"I think he should attend and condemn the Provisional Legislator rather than stay at home and try to avoid it," Mr Lee said.

Lee: Message to Hong Kong's future rulers

China is planning to swear in the Provisional Legislator immediately after it takes control of Hong Kong on the stroke of midnight on June 30.

The swearing in of the Provisional Legislator has been strongly condemned by democratic politicians in Hong Kong and throughout the world.

Candles light the vigil

"I think he (Tony Blair) should come and separate the two. Witness the handover of sovereignty but tell the whole world the Provisional Legislator is unconstitutional and bad," he said.

Mr Lee that he hoped a new Labour government would be able to do more for Hong Kong. He said that the Conservatives were influenced heavily by big business.

"I hope Labour won't have to bow to big business. They should do much better," he said.

Hong Kong Handover