 "Hong Kong’s Democratic Party moves toward dissolution amid growing pressure from Beijing")
Hong Kong’s Democratic Party took a step closer to disbanding on Sunday (April 13), after members overwhelmingly backed a motion allowing the party’s leadership to begin preparations for dissolution.
The vote marks the latest retreat of a major pro-democracy force in the city, as the sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing continues to shape politics in Hong Kong.
The party’s chair, Lo Kin-hei, said the move was not yet a final decision, but showed a willingness among members to begin the formal process of shutting down the 30-year-old organisation.
“This is not the final decision that the party is dissolving,” Lo told reporters following the vote. “In the coming few months, I hope there will be another general meeting (where) we actually will get that motion into debate and vote.”
More than 90 per cent of the roughly 110 members in attendance supported the motion to allow the party’s Central Committee to initiate procedural steps, including financial audits and other requirements for dissolution.
Lo previously attributed the move to Hong Kong’s “overall political environment”, although he stopped short of confirming whether the party had faced direct pressure from Beijing.
An opposition silenced
The Democratic Party was once a fixture of Hong Kong’s political system and the most prominent opposition group in the city’s legislature. But in recent years, it has been hollowed out by arrests, prosecutions, and the steady erosion of political freedoms since the 2019 mass protests.
That year saw millions of Hongkongers take to the streets in sometimes-violent demonstrations demanding democratic reforms and opposing Beijing’s growing influence. In response, authorities introduced a national security law in 2020 that criminalises secession, subversion, foreign collusion and terrorism.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe law has been widely criticised for targeting political dissent.
The party’s expected closure follows the disbandment of several other civil society groups. The once-vibrant pro-democracy camp has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, with most of its leaders in jail, exile or political silence.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
