Democratic Party Disbands After 31 Years – Founding Vice Chairman: Hong Kong Society Regresses

On the afternoon of the 14th, the Hong Kong Democratic Party convened a special general meeting, passing resolutions for dissolution and liquidation, appointing liquidators and deciding on the handling of remaining assets. This marks the official withdrawal from Hong Kong's political scene of the Democratic Party, which was established 31 years ago and was once the largest pro-democracy party in Hong Kong.

According to Radio France Internationale, founding vice chairman Yeung Sum stated that the Democratic Party’s dissolution symbolizes Hong Kong’s regression from a free society to an authoritarian one, reflecting that the “one country, two systems” principle is at a turning point and a low. He hopes that the policy may have a chance to be reassessed and move toward greater openness in the future.

According to United Daily News, the Democratic Party was a major political force among Hong Kong’s pan-democratic groups. It was originally formed by the merger of two organizations, the Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood and Meeting Point, and was officially founded in 1994. Its political platform was to support Hong Kong’s return to China and “one country, two systems,” but also demanded dual universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council. After its founding, the Democratic Party gradually became the leading pro-democracy party and at one time held the most seats in the Legislative Council.

The Hong Kong Democratic Party was once known as the city’s “moderate pro-democracy faction.” Following the failure of social movements and the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law in 2020, the party’s key representatives were imprisoned one after another, and the Democratic Party ceased participation in district council and legislative council elections, effectively rendering it silent on the political stage.

This February, news emerged that the Democratic Party was contemplating disbandment. Party chair Lo Kin-hei subsequently announced that the Central Committee had decided to set up a three-person group to follow up on future dissolution and liquidation arrangements, citing only a review of the current political environment and other factors.

Founding Member: The Government Cannot Hear Other Voices

Democratic Party founding member Lee Wing-tat appeared after attending the general meeting, shedding tears at one point and expressing his reluctance over the dissolution, saying he never anticipated today’s outcome. He believes the 2019 social movement was a turning point, making Hong Kong’s path toward democracy tougher and more conservative, with the regime prioritizing stability over everything, making even moderate democrats unable to survive. Lee Win-tat said that nearly 90% of members supported the dissolution at this meeting. He also believes the Democratic Party’s influence on Hong Kong was positive, but its impact has been waning. Currently, the government cannot hear other voices, and continuing to exist would only increase the pressure on members of the party’s central executive committee.