Hong Kong's Biggest Pro-Democracy Party Votes to Disband After More Than 30 Years

Hong Kong's Democratic Party, the largest pro-democracy organization in the region, voted on Sunday to dissolve after more than three decades of activism. This marks a significant turning point for political diversity in the Chinese semiautonomous city.

Party Chairperson Lo Kin-hei stated that roughly 97% of members voted in favor of liquidation, viewing it as the best path forward for the party's members.

"Yet as the times have shifted, we now, with deep regret, must bring this chapter to a close," Lo said.

Lo had previously attributed the decision to disband to the current political situation and social climate. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. veteran party members told the Associated Press that some members were warned of potential consequences if the party did not shut down.

The party's demise reflects the shrinking freedoms in Hong Kong since its return to Chinese rule in 1997.

In June 2020, China implemented a national security law following large-scale anti-government protests the previous year. China asserted the law was necessary to ensure stability in the city. Since then, numerous prominent activists, including former Democratic Party chairs Albert Ho and Wu Chi-wai, as well as other former lawmakers, have been arrested under the law.

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, also faces charges under the national security law, with his verdict expected on Monday. Apple Daily was among several independent media outlets that have been shut down in the last five years.

Numerous civil society groups have also closed, including the Civic Party, the second-largest pro-democracy party.