Hong Kong’s main opposition party announces plan to disband

• Hong Kong’s Democratic Party faces disbandment amid a national security crackdown. A final vote of full members is still required to finalize the shutdown.
• The Democratic Party chairman said the decision to shut down was made because of the “overall political environment.”
• Hong Kong’s second-largest opposition group, the Civic Party, disbanded in 2023.

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Hong Kong’s last pro-democracy party and powerful voice of opposition before Beijing imposed strict measures on dissent announced Thursday, Feb. 20, it’s starting preparations to shut down. The group was founded in 1994 in the run-up to the city’s return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, getting strong public support in elections and serving as a symbol of the city’s freedoms.

The party was also known for having rare negotiations with the liaison office, the Chinese communist government’s representation in Hong Kong, in 2010, to discuss plans for more liberal elections.

Some members saw those negotiations as a betrayal, triggering a split while the party lost support.

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The party eventually regained strength. It became the most successful opposition political force in the city after acquiring the most seats in the 2019 local council elections. Those elections took place during the violent anti-government protests.

What issues is the party having now?

Now, the party is struggling to survive with China’s moves to crack down on dissent in the city following the protests. 

Beijing and Hong Kong’s government argued these moves were necessary for national security.

What happens next?

Democratic Party Chairman Lo Kin-hei said the decision to shut down was made after careful consideration of the “overall political environment.” He also noted the party’s members still need a 75% majority vote on the disbanding to make it final at a future meeting.

Hong Kong’s second-largest opposition group, the Civic Party, disbanded in 2023.