HONG KONG The League of Social Democrats, a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong, said on Sunday that it has disbanded owing to intense political pressure. This is the most recent setback in a crackdown that has already silenced a large portion of the city’s once-vocal opposition over the past several years.
Following large-scale anti-government demonstrations in 2019, Beijing enacted a 2020 national security law that resulted in the prosecution or imprisonment of some prominent activists. Numerous civil society organizations disbanded. Government-critical media outlets were shut down.
The sole pro-democracy party that continued to advocate for democracy in spite of the dangers was the League of Social Democrats, which occasionally organized small-scale public demonstrations and operated street booths.
According to its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, the decision to disband was decided after thorough consideration, with particular attention paid to the implications for its members and allies. Although Chan declined to provide further details about the pressure, she expressed pride in the fact that the party has continued to support the city’s pro-democracy movement over the past few years.
“We have remained loyal to our initial goals and have not betrayed the confidence that those who served time in prison had in us,” she stated. We have no other option, she replied, even if we are now compelled to disband and feel bad about it.
As Beijing gained control, protests became less frequent.
On July 1, the former British colony of Hong Kong will commemorate the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese governance. On that day, the city used to host yearly pro-democracy protests along with other types of rallies calling for improved policies.
However, those came to an end when the majority of organizing groups were shut down and the top activists were imprisoned. Critics claim that the significant political shifts brought about by the security law demonstrate how the liberties Beijing pledged to preserve in 1997 are eroding.
The governments of Beijing and Hong Kong maintain that the law is essential to the stability of the city. In 2023, a Chinese official in charge of Hong Kong affairs stated that protests are not the only means for citizens to voice their opinions, indicating Beijing’s position on protests in the city.
The Democratic Party, the largest pro-democracy party in Hong Kong, also decided in April to grant its leaders the authority to consider disbanding. According to party veterans who spoke to The Associated Press, some members were threatened with repercussions if the party didn’t disband. Later on, a final vote is anticipated.
Chan cited the Chinese government’s implementation of the security law and the introduction of the concept of soft resistance—a word officials use to describe underlying security risks—as reasons why she thought the one nation, two systems principle, which Beijing employs to manage Hong Kong, had already come to an end.
She said that the one country, two systems had already (become) one country, one system.
A party with a reputation for using combative methods
The League of Social Democrats, a left-wing political organization founded in 2006, was dedicated to the interests of impoverished citizens, defended the idea that people had a voice, and opposed what it described as collaboration between the government and business.
It was well known for using more forceful methods to push for reform. As a form of protest, its members have thrown luncheon meat, eggs, and bananas at lawmakers or officials who support Beijing. Its party platform said that, in contrast to more established, conventional pro-democracy organizations, the group supported peaceful resistance but would not shun physical altercations.
Three lawmakers were in office at one point. The husband of the legislature’s longest-serving member, Leung Kwok-hung Chan, was disqualified for the way he took the oath of office in 2017.
For their activity, members were detained and imprisoned.
Members of the group were occasionally arrested and imprisoned as a result of their activities on the streets.
Under the broad security law, Leung and well-known LGBTQ+ activist and former party leader Jimmy Sham received sentences of almost seven years and more than four years, respectively, for their actions in an irregular primary election last year. Last month, Sham was released from prison.
Since losing all of its members in the legislature and local district councils, the party has had little political clout in recent years. A bank even stopped offering the group bank account services.
However, it persisted in occasionally holding minor demonstrations, even if those actions occasionally resulted in arrests. Following their conviction for their actions at the street booth, Chan and other members were punished on June 12.
They continued to protest the decision outside the court, unfazed by their convictions.
During Sunday’s press conference, Chan wiped away tears and joined other members in chanting slogans at the conclusion.
She stated that she does not think democracy will be established anytime soon.
“It’s really difficult to move forward,” she remarked. “I want that everyone could become like an ember—a flying spark that is still carrying light—and maintain that light, no matter how tiny.
