Hong Kong’s Last Major Pro-Democracy Party Moves to Disband After Leadership Meeting

Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party took an initial step toward dissolving Thursday, in the latest sign of the Chinese territory's narrowing space for civil society groups following Beijng's crackdown on dissent. The Democratic Party's central committee decided to set up a task force to look into the procedures involved in dissolving the party. A final decision would require approval of the party's members. Party Chairperson Lo Kin-hei said at a news conference late Thursday that party leaders made the decision based the current political situation and social climate, and said the party did not have any acute financial burdens. “When we have to move toward this direction, we, of course, feel it is a pity. I believe every member cherishes the existence of the Democratic Party in Hong Kong,” he said.

Hong Kong's Democratic Party said late on Thursday it would start preparations to disband and wind up its affairs after a meeting of its leadership, amid a years-long national security crackdown in the China-ruled city. Founded in 1994 in the run-up to the city's return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the Democratic Party grew into the largest and most successful opposition party -- garnering strong public support in city-wide elections and has long been a key symbol of the city's freedoms and plurality, opens new tab.

Hong Kong's Democratic Party said late on Feb 20 that it would start preparations to disband and wind up its affairs after a meeting of its leadership, amid a years-long national security crackdown in the city. Founded in 1994 in the run-up to the city's return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the Democratic Party grew into the largest and most successful opposition party – garnering strong public support in city-wide elections, and it has long been a key symbol of the city's freedoms and plurality. Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei said the party's members still needed to vote on the dissolution to make it final at a future meeting, with a 75 per cent majority required from the members in attendance.