HONG KONG - A MOTION urging Beijing to apologize for suppressing the 1989 pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square was on the agenda Wednesday for lawmakers in Hong Kong, where debate over the crackdown has intensified on its 20th anniversary.

The suppression of the student-led protests, in which at least hundreds were killed, remains a taboo topic on the Chinese mainland and Beijing still considers them a 'counterrevolutionary' riot.

Hong Kong is one of the few places in China where the events of June 1989 are openly discussed and commemorated because it's a former British colony ruled under a separate political system that promises freedom of speech and other Western-style civil liberties.

Wednesday's nonbinding motion calling for 'the June 4 incident' not to be forgotten and 'the 1989 pro-democracy movement be vindicated' is expected to fail because pro-China politicians outnumber their pro-democracy colleagues in the Hong Kong legislature.

The crackdown in Beijing is remembered vividly in Hong Kong because it came just years before the then-British territory was due to be handed back to China in 1997, when many were worried about the prospect of authoritarian rule. The protests drew a massive outpouring of sympathy in the territory and the military action drew widespread outrage.

Hong Kong has seen more heated debate of the Tiananmen protests than usual this year due to greater awareness of the 20th anniversary. Local media outlets have published and aired special programs and features about the demonstrations.

A group of Hong Kong graphic designers have distributed stickers with the Roman numerals 'VIIV', to symbolize that date June 4, which have been seen pasted on public walls and have published a comic book on the Internet that pays tribute to those killed in 1989.

Tens of thousands are expected at an annual candlelight vigil at a major urban park on June 4 - the 20th anniversary of the crackdown.

Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang also sparked a backlash by telling legislators in a question-and-answer session earlier this month that most locals appreciate the benefits of China's economic growth since the Tiananmen crackdown.

A Hong Kong independent rock band released a song called 'Donald Tsang, Please Die' criticising the leader's remarks. Mr Tsang apologised, saying he was wrong to claim that his views reflected those of most Hong Kongers. -- AP