With international pressure on Beijing over its human rights record intensifying in the lead-up to the Olympic Games, activists in Hong Kong face a dilemma that grows more delicate by the day.
To join the chorus of criticism of Beijing's handling of the Tibetan riots and its dismal record in human rights protection risks being dragged into the maze of international sports politics. Given the pride of the Chinese people in holding the first Olympics on home soil, any attempt by local activists to use the torch relay as an opportunity to press for better human rights on the mainland will be controversial.
To keep silent might appear politically correct, yet that would negate the Olympic movement's view that China's staging of the Games is a catalyst for positive change.
Moreover, it could be argued that protests during the city's torch relay on May 2 would be hard evidence that the 'one country, two systems' formula is alive and kicking in Hong Kong.
Yet, given the ugly skirmishes we have already seen during some legs of the torch relay, the question of whether or not local human rights activists should stage a protest during the Hong Kong leg is contentious.
Chinese people have reacted with sadness, disappointment and anger to the clashes in London and Paris between police and opponents of China's rule in Tibet .