Democratic Party: Hong Kong's main opposition party to dissolve

The leadership of Hong Kong's Democratic Party has announced plans to disband the party, which was once the largest opposition group in Hong Kong. Democratic Party Chairman Lo Kin-hei stated that members will soon make a final decision on closing the 31-year-old party. This move signifies a significant shift in Hong Kong's political landscape and raises concerns about the future of democracy in the region.

The Democratic Party has been struggling to survive after China moved to silence dissenting voices following the 2019 protests. Beijing and the Hong Kong government argue that these measures are necessary to maintain national security and stability. As part of the crackdown, Beijing reformed the former British colony's election system. In 2021, Hong Kong passed the so-called "patriots law," ensuring that only those deemed loyal to Beijing's communist regime could serve as legislators or local councilors in the semi-autonomous region. This law effectively barred the Democratic Party from participating in elections, further limiting their political influence.

At a late-night press conference following a party meeting, Lo Kin-hei said the party leaders made the decision to disband based on the "current political situation." "It has always been difficult to develop democracy in Hong Kong, especially in the past few years," Lo Kin-hei told reporters. When asked whether the party leaders' decision was made under political pressure, he did not comment. The party has established a working group for dissolution. At least 75% of the members attending an upcoming general meeting must approve the move for it to be finalized. The date of the meeting has not yet been determined, leaving the party's future uncertain.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a Hong Kong government advisor, accused the Democratic Party on Wednesday of pursuing an anti-China agenda and "constantly creating trouble inside and outside the parliament." "Therefore, I am not surprised that they have lost supporters in recent years... the Democratic Party has come to an end," said Regina Ip, convenor of Hong Kong's Executive Council. The Democratic Party was known for holding rare direct talks with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong in 2010 to discuss plans for freer elections. However, younger members considered these negotiations a betrayal. This move triggered divisions, and the party lost support. Subsequently, the party regained strength and secured the most seats in the 2019 local council elections, becoming the city's most successful opposition political force, an election that took place amid violent anti-government protests.

Many Democratic Party members, including prominent pro-democracy figures Helena Wong Pik-wan, Lam Cheuk-ting, Wu Chi-wai, and Albert Ho Chun-yan, are among those imprisoned in the "Hong Kong 47" case under the controversial National Security Law. Another member, former legislator Ted Hui Chi-fung, is now in exile in Australia and is wanted by the Hong Kong government on suspicion of endangering national security. Earlier this week, a court issued an order to confiscate his assets and funds held in Hong Kong by his family and a law firm. Last December, Hong Kong stripped Martin Lee Chu-ming, a key founder of the Democratic Party, of his title of Justice of the Peace, after the veteran barrister lost an appeal against a conviction for unauthorized assembly, signaling a continued crackdown on pro-democracy voices.