Many people said China had softened its stance over dissenting views when Vice-Premier Qian Qichen suggested in August that Beijing was willing to open dialogue with Hong Kong's democratic faction on handover issues.
Over the summer, the mood in the community became more relaxed and people were starting to believe that perhaps Beijing had adopted a more lenient attitude towards those who spoke up about human rights and democracy issues.
Hardcore democrats in Hong Kong, such as Szeto Wah, are always sceptical about Beijing's real intentions - they believe the friendly gesture is just a tactical move to talk the democrats into softening up, or even dropping, any drastic action planned for July 1.
Judging from what China has done to mainland dissidents in the past few days, it is not difficult to believe that perhaps the pro-democracy activists have grounds for cynicism.
Many in Hong Kong who have learned of the charges against student leader Wang Dan and the plight of dissident Wang Xizhe, are likely to share the democrats' scepticism.
What have the Wangs done to justify Beijing's high-handed treatment of them? Where is the real evidence that the mainland duo were engaged in subversion? All that the pair have done is to speak their minds, offering an alternative view.