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Radio Free Asia
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Radio Free Asia
Hong Kong pro-democracy party disbands under pressure from Beijing
The League of Social Democrats, a pro-democracy party with a 19-year history, announced on Sunday its disbandment, signaling the disappearance of pro-democracy parties from Hong Kong's political landscape. 'Next year would have marked the 20th anniversary of our founding, but we will not make it to that day,' LSD said in a media notice on Friday. 'We are announcing our dissolution.' A source told RFA Cantonese that LSD was warned several times, beginning in April, that it must dissolve before July 1 or risk being forcibly disbanded. Incumbent LSD chairperson Chan Po-ying has previously declined to comment. On Friday, she again said she would not respond before the press conference. 'No Resistance, No Change' Founded in 2006, LSD's slogan was 'No resistance, no change.' The party made headlines in 2008 when it secured three seats in the Legislative Council with Wong Yuk-man, Leung Kwok-hung, and Albert Chan, becoming the third-largest pro-democracy party. Known for its confrontational style, LSD lawmakers famously threw bananas at then-Chief Executive Donald Tsang during a LegCo session, becoming a symbol of the city's radical democrats. Outside the legislature, LSD organized and participated in numerous protests and civil disobedience campaigns. In 2009, LSD and the Civic Party launched the 'Five Constituencies Referendum' campaign, in which five lawmakers resigned and re-contested their seats to demand universal suffrage. All five, including LSD's Leung Kwok-hung, Wong Yuk-man, and Albert Chan, and Civic Party's Alan Leong and Tanya Chan, were re-elected in the May 2010 by-election. Legislative filibusters and internal splits In 2011, LSD launched a 'vote repayment' campaign targeting the Democratic Party for its role in pushing forward Beijing-approved electoral reforms. Internal disagreements over strategy led to a split, with Wong Yuk-man and Albert Chan forming People Power. Leung Kwok-hung then took over as LSD chair. The party retained only one LegCo seat in the 2012 and 2016 elections but continued legislative filibusters and budget protest actions alongside People Power. In 2016, Leung Kwok-hung was disqualified from LegCo for holding a yellow umbrella and tearing up a copy of the NPC's '831' decision during his oath-taking. Since then, LSD has had no seats in the legislature but continued grassroots activism and protest actions. Leung Kwok-hung still imprisoned Many LSD members have served jail time for civil disobedience. Leung Kwok-hung, now 69, remains in prison as a defendant in the 47 democrats' national security case. LSD vice-chair Jimmy Sham, also one of the 47, was released last month after serving his sentence. Even after other pro-democracy parties such as the Democratic Party and Civic Party disbanded, LSD continued street actions under the National Security Law era — addressing issues like labor importation and minimum wage. Earlier this year, the party planned a protest outside government headquarters on Budget Day but canceled due to 'immense pressure.' Some LSD members also had their bank accounts frozen or closed, and several were charged for 'unauthorized fundraising in public' and 'unauthorized display of posters.'
Japan Today
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Hong Kong opposition party disbands citing 'immense' pressure
Members of the League of Social Democrats, which championed democratisation and grassroots issues in Hong Kong's legislature and on the streets By Holmes CHAN One of Hong Kong's last remaining opposition parties has officially disbanded, its leader announced Sunday, citing "immense political pressure" as Beijing's years-long crackdown on dissent transforms the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The League of Social Democrats (LSD), founded in 2006, championed democratization and grassroots issues in Hong Kong's legislature and on the streets. Its lawmakers were known for their colorful heckling and symbolic protests in legislative sessions, which included lobbing bananas and fish sandwiches. It is the latest opposition party to cease operating after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 to end democracy protests that had brought the financial hub to a standstill. "In the face of immense political pressure and after careful deliberation -- particularly with regard to the consequences for our members and comrades -- we have made the difficult decision to disband," LSD said in a statement. Party chair Chan Po-ying said the decision had been unanimous as the group had "no other choice". Asked if pressure had come from Beijing's middlemen, Chan declined to elaborate. At the height of its popularity in 2008, LSD held just three seats, but it was responsible for helping mainstream a more radical pro-democracy agenda. After the imposition of the national security law, the city's political opposition dwindled, with most democracy campaigners jailed or overseas. The Civic Party closed in 2023 and in February, the Democratic Party began winding down. Regina Ip, convenor of the Hong Kong government's cabinet, told AFP last week that it was a "good thing" that these opposition parties were disbanding. "All these parties have done great damage to Hong Kong and to the proper functioning of (the Legislative Council)," she said. Authorities have since overhauled the electoral system to ensure only Beijing loyalists can hold office. Chan said she had no "false hope" of liberalization. "I don't think Hong Kong will go forward to the democratic system in the near future," she said. According to the party, its bank accounts were closed in 2023, adding to operational difficulties. Six party members have been jailed over the past five years, including Chan's husband and one of LSD's founding members, "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung. He remains behind bars after being found guilty of subversion last year in Hong Kong's largest national security trial. Another LSD member jailed in the same case, Jimmy Sham, was released from prison last month. At the press conference, he described the group as Hong Kong's first political party to adopt LGBTQ equality as part of its core platform. "I sincerely hope that in the future, there will still be voices in society that speak out for the marginalized," Sham added. In recent years, LSD had limited its public activities to a Sunday street booth in a shopping district where a handful of activists handed out flyers while filmed by police. Vice-chairperson Dickson Chau recalled that some passersby would make small signs of support, such as offering him a friendly nod or a beverage. But operating in the current political environment has taken a personal toll. "These four years, I constantly worry about someone (knocking on) my door to arrest me or do a house search... and when I just walk around the streets, I need to worry, is it a sensitive date?" Chan warned of a "domino effect", saying that her group would not be the last to fold. She urged the public "on the one hand to survive, and on the other hand to try to exercise our rights as citizens". © 2025 AFP
News.com.au
29-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Hong Kong opposition party disbands citing 'immense' pressure
One of Hong Kong's last remaining opposition parties has officially disbanded, its leader announced Sunday, citing "immense political pressure" as Beijing's years-long crackdown on dissent transforms the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The League of Social Democrats (LSD), founded in 2006, championed democratisation and grassroots issues in Hong Kong's legislature and on the streets. Its lawmakers were known for their colourful heckling and symbolic protests in legislative sessions, which included lobbing bananas and fish sandwiches. It is the latest opposition party to cease operating after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 to end democracy protests that had brought the financial hub to a standstill. "In the face of immense political pressure and after careful deliberation -- particularly with regard to the consequences for our members and comrades -- we have made the difficult decision to disband," LSD said in a statement. Party chair Chan Po-ying said the decision had been unanimous as the group had "no other choice". Asked if pressure had come from Beijing's middlemen, Chan declined to elaborate. - Democratic dreams dashed - At the height of its popularity in 2008, LSD held just three seats, but it was responsible for helping mainstream a more radical pro-democracy agenda. After the imposition of the national security law, the city's political opposition dwindled, with most democracy campaigners jailed or overseas. The Civic Party closed in 2023 and in February, the Democratic Party began winding down. Regina Ip, convenor of the Hong Kong government's cabinet, told AFP last week that it was a "good thing" that these opposition parties were disbanding. "All these parties have done great damage to Hong Kong and to the proper functioning of (the Legislative Council)," she said. Authorities have since overhauled the electoral system to ensure only Beijing loyalists can hold office. Chan said she had no "false hope" of liberalisation. "I don't think Hong Kong will go forward to the democratic system in the near future," she said. According to the party, its bank accounts were closed in 2023, adding to operational difficulties. Six party members have been jailed over the past five years, including Chan's husband and one of LSD's founding members, "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung. He remains behind bars after being found guilty of subversion last year in Hong Kong's largest national security trial. - 'Domino effect' - Another LSD member jailed in the same case, Jimmy Sham, was released from prison last month. At the press conference, he described the group as Hong Kong's first political party to adopt LGBTQ equality as part of its core platform. "I sincerely hope that in the future, there will still be voices in society that speak out for the marginalised," Sham added. In recent years, LSD had limited its public activities to a Sunday street booth in a shopping district where a handful of activists handed out flyers while filmed by police. Vice-chairperson Dickson Chau recalled that some passersby would make small signs of support, such as offering him a friendly nod or a beverage. But operating in the current political environment has taken a personal toll. "These four years, I constantly worry about someone (knocking on) my door to arrest me or do a house search... and when I just walk around the streets, I need to worry, is it a sensitive date?" Chan warned of a "domino effect", saying that her group would not be the last to fold. She urged the public "on the one hand to survive, and on the other hand to try to exercise our rights as citizens". hol/lb
LeMonde
29-06-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
One of Hong Kong's last opposition parties disbands
One of Hong Kong's last remaining opposition parties has officially disbanded, its leader announced on Sunday, June 29, citing "immense political pressure" as Beijing's years-long crackdown on dissent transforms the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The League of Social Democrats (LSD), founded in 2006, championed democratization and grassroots issues in Hong Kong's legislature and on the streets. Its lawmakers were known for their colorful heckling and symbolic protests in legislative sessions, which included lobbing bananas and fish sandwiches. It is the latest opposition party to cease operating after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 to end democracy protests that had brought the financial hub to a standstill. "In the face of immense political pressure and after careful deliberation – particularly with regard to the consequences for our members and comrades – we have made the difficult decision to disband," LSD said in a statement. Party chair Chan Po-ying said the decision had been unanimous as the group had "no other choice." Asked if pressure had come from Beijing's middlemen, Chan declined to elaborate. Democratic dreams dashed At the height of its popularity in 2008, LSD held just three seats, but it was responsible for helping mainstream a more radical pro-democracy agenda. After the imposition of the national security law, the city's political opposition dwindled, with most democracy campaigners jailed or overseas. The Civic Party closed in 2023 and in February, the Democratic Party began winding down. Regina Ip, convenor of the Hong Kong government's cabinet, told Agence France-Presse last week that it was a "good thing" that these opposition parties were disbanding. "All these parties have done great damage to Hong Kong and to the proper functioning of the Legislative Council," she said. Authorities have since overhauled the electoral system to ensure only Beijing loyalists can hold office. Chan said she had no "false hope" of liberalization. "I don't think Hong Kong will go forward to the democratic system in the near future," she said. According to the party, its bank accounts were closed in 2023, which added to operational difficulties. Six party members have been jailed over the past five years, including Chan's husband and one of LSD's founding members, "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung. He remains behind bars after being found guilty of subversion last year in Hong Kong's largest national security trial. 'Domino effect' Another LSD member jailed in the same case, Jimmy Sham, was released from prison last month. At the press conference, he described the group as Hong Kong's first political party to incorporate LGBTQ+ equality as part of its core platform. "I sincerely hope that in the future, there will still be voices in society that speak out for the marginalized," Sham added. In recent years, LSD had limited its public activities to a Sunday street booth in a shopping district where a handful of activists handed out flyers while filmed by police. Vice-chairperson Dickson Chau recalled that some passersby would show their support by making small gestures, such as offering him a friendly nod or a beverage. But operating in the current political environment has taken a personal toll. "These four years, I constantly worry about someone (knocking on) my door to arrest me or do a house search... and when I just walk around the streets, I need to worry, is it a sensitive date?" Chan warned of a "domino effect," saying that her group would not be the last to fold. She urged the public "on the one hand to survive, and on the other hand to try to exercise our rights as citizens."
Radio Free Asia
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Radio Free Asia
Hong Kong pro-democracy party to disband under pressure from Beijing
The League of Social Democrats, a pro-democracy party with a 19-year history, has announced it will hold a press conference Sunday to announce its disbandment, signaling the disappearance of pro-democracy parties from Hong Kong's political landscape. 'Next year would have marked the 20th anniversary of our founding, but we will not make it to that day,' LSD said in a media notice on Friday. 'We are announcing our dissolution.' A source told RFA Cantonese that LSD was warned several times, beginning in April, that it must dissolve before July 1 or risk being forcibly disbanded. Incumbent LSD chairperson Chan Po-ying has previously declined to comment. On Friday, she again said she would not respond before the press conference. 'No Resistance, No Change' Founded in 2006, LSD's slogan was 'No resistance, no change.' The party made headlines in 2008 when it secured three seats in the Legislative Council with Wong Yuk-man, Leung Kwok-hung, and Albert Chan, becoming the third-largest pro-democracy party. Known for its confrontational style, LSD lawmakers famously threw bananas at then-Chief Executive Donald Tsang during a LegCo session, becoming a symbol of the city's radical democrats. Outside the legislature, LSD organized and participated in numerous protests and civil disobedience campaigns. In 2009, LSD and the Civic Party launched the 'Five Constituencies Referendum' campaign, in which five lawmakers resigned and re-contested their seats to demand universal suffrage. All five, including LSD's Leung Kwok-hung, Wong Yuk-man, and Albert Chan, and Civic Party's Alan Leong and Tanya Chan, were re-elected in the May 2010 by-election. Legislative filibusters and internal splits In 2011, LSD launched a 'vote repayment' campaign targeting the Democratic Party for its role in pushing forward Beijing-approved electoral reforms. Internal disagreements over strategy led to a split, with Wong Yuk-man and Albert Chan forming People Power. Leung Kwok-hung then took over as LSD chair. The party retained only one LegCo seat in the 2012 and 2016 elections but continued legislative filibusters and budget protest actions alongside People Power. In 2016, Leung Kwok-hung was disqualified from LegCo for holding a yellow umbrella and tearing up a copy of the NPC's '831' decision during his oath-taking. Since then, LSD has had no seats in the legislature but continued grassroots activism and protest actions. Leung Kwok-hung still imprisoned Many LSD members have served jail time for civil disobedience. Leung Kwok-hung, now 69, remains in prison as a defendant in the 47 democrats' national security case. LSD vice-chair Jimmy Sham, also one of the 47, was released last month after serving his sentence. Even after other pro-democracy parties such as the Democratic Party and Civic Party disbanded, LSD continued street actions under the National Security Law era — addressing issues like labor importation and minimum wage. Earlier this year, the party planned a protest outside government headquarters on Budget Day but canceled due to 'immense pressure.' Some LSD members also had their bank accounts frozen or closed, and several were charged for 'unauthorized fundraising in public' and 'unauthorized display of posters.'
