One of Hong Kong's last pro-democracy groups disbands amid national security crackdown

CNA

9 hours ago

HONG KONG: Hong Kong pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats announced on Sunday (Jun 29) it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has already quieted much of the city's once-vocal opposition.
Following massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted or jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government shuttered.
The League of Social Democrats (LSD) was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time and held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks.
The LSD becomes the third major opposition party to shut down in Hong Kong in the past two years, Reuters reported.
Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and comrades. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had still contributed to the city's pro-democracy movement in these few years.
'We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven't let down the trust placed in us by those who went to prison," she said. 'While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice,' she said.
PROTESTS BECAME RARE UNDER BEIJING'S GRIP
Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of returning to Chinese rule on Jul 1. The city used to hold annual protests on that day and other various demonstrations demanding better policies.
But those were ceased after most organising groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking.
The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing's stance toward demonstrations in the city.
In April, Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told The Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn't shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date.
Earlier this month, China's top official on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, stressed national security work must continue as hostile forces were still interfering in the city.
"We must clearly see that the anti-China and Hong Kong chaos elements are still ruthless and are renewing various forms of soft resistance," Xia said in a speech in Hong Kong.
A PARTY KNOWN FOR CONFRONTATIONAL TACTICS
Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents.
It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and luncheon meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated non-violent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations - a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups.
It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung - Chan's husband - was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017.
In a 2016 incident, Leung threw a round object at former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying inside the legislature, Reuters reported.
MEMBERS ARRESTED AND JAILED OVER ACTIVISM
On the streets, the group's activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members from time to time.
Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month.
In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide bank account services to the group.
But it continued to stage small protests from time to time, despite those activities sometimes leading to arrests. On Jun 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities.