Hong Kong’s Democratic Party will not rule out discussion on potentially disbanding during an upcoming meeting this week, its chairperson has said following reports that the party may shut down.
Chair Lo Kin-hei told reporters on Wednesday that the executive committee of the Democratic Party will convene on Thursday. “Our discussion will not be limited, and we will discuss all options,” he said in Cantonese without giving specifics. “There will be a meeting of the executive committee tomorrow, we will know what decision will be made afterwards.”
His comments came after multiple local news media reported late Tuesday night that the party, founded in 1994, is set to discuss its potential disbandment as early as this week.
The 30-year-old pro-democracy party has carried out rounds of internal discussion about disbandment before, but several former leaders and even the founder of the party were not aware of the proposal this time, according to Ming Pao.
Martin Lee, a veteran democrat who was the founding chairperson of the Democratic Party in 1994, told the paper that he had no communication with the current executive committee, but he was “not surprised” about the talk of disbandment.
Lo said on Wednesday that the party had indeed talked about disbanding in recent years following the dissolution of other civil society groups.
“Over the past few years we see a lot of different groups and parties – all sorts of different civil society groups – dissolving… So every time, whenever any of those kinds of groups disband or discontinue, we will have that kind of discussion,” he said in response to an HKFP question.
Lo, who was re-elected chair in December following a change of term for the party’s executive committee, said at that time that the party still represents “a slice of residents” but acknowledged that the party carries less influence than before.
“We try our best to speak up for what we see as the best interest of Hong Kong,” Lo said in Cantonese during a press conference in December.
The Democratic Party – once the city’s largest opposition party at the legislature – does not have a lawmaker or a district councillor currently.
In March 2021, Beijing passed legislation to ensure “patriots” govern Hong Kong. The move reduced democratic representation in the legislature, tightened control of elections and introduced a pro-Beijing vetting panel to select candidates. Authorities say the overhaul ensures the city’s stability and prosperity. But the changes also prompted international condemnation, as much of the traditional opposition remains behind bars, in self-exile or has quit politics.
Multiple members of the party have been jailed or detained over national security offences, including Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting, as well as former chairs Wu Chi-wai and Albert Ho.
Members of the party, as well as their families and employers, have received harassing messages and letters in the run-up to its internal election, Lo said last November.
Additional reporting: Hillary Leung
