Hong Kong’s main opposition party to dissolve
EPALeaders of the Democratic Party in Hong Kong announced plans to dissolve what was once the city’s largest opposition group.
Chairman Lo Kin-hei said members will soon make a final decision on whether to close the 31-year-old party.
The party has been struggling to survive after China took action to combat dissent in cities following the 2019 protests.
The Beijing and Hong Kong governments believe that such a move is necessary for national security.
As part of the crackdown, Beijing overhauled the voting system in the former British colony.
The so-called The Patriot Law was passed in Hong Kong in 2021 This ensures that only those who are seen as loyal to the Communist regime in Beijing can serve as legislators or local councillors in the semi-autonomous field.
This law effectively prohibits Democrats from participating in elections.
Mr. Lo said in a late-night press conference Tuesday after a gathering that the party’s leaders called for rejection based on the “current political situation.”
Mr. Lu told reporters: “It has always been difficult to develop democracy in Hong Kong, and it has been particularly difficult in the past few years.”
He did not comment when asked whether the party leader’s decision was made under political pressure.
The party has established a working group to carry out the closure process. At least 75% of members attend the upcoming general meeting of shareholders and must approve the move. The date for the meeting has not been set yet.
On Wednesday, Hong Kong government adviser Regina IP accused Democrats of pursuing opposition to China’s agenda and “continuously causing trouble both inside and outside the parliament.”
“So, they have been losing supporters in recent years … The Democrats are already in trouble,” said the co-convener of the cabinet executive committee in Hong Kong.
The Democrats held rare direct negotiations with the Chinese Communist government’s representatives in Hong Kong in 2010 to discuss plans for more liberal elections.
However, its young members viewed the negotiations as betrayal. The move sparked division when the party lost support.
It then regained its strength and became the city’s most successful opposition political force after gaining the most seats in the 2019 local council elections, held during violent anti-government protests.
Many Democratic Party members – including the well-known pro-democracy figures Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Wu Chi-Wai and Albert Ho 47 Hong Kong campaigners Prisoned to jail under the controversial national security law.
Another member Former lawmaker Ted Hui, He is now living in Australia and exiled and is wanted by the Hong Kong government for suspected national security crimes. Earlier this week, the court issued an order to confiscate his assets and money in Hong Kong, held by his family and a law firm.
In December, Hong Kong stripped the Peace Champions League title from Democratic founder Martin Lee KC after a senior lawyer lost his appeal for an unauthorized parliamentary conviction.
