In a pivotal moment for Hong Kong's political landscape, the city's last major opposition party is poised to make a decision that could shape its future. On Sunday, the Democratic Party will hold a final vote on whether to disband, amidst mounting pressure from China. This move comes as part of a broader crackdown on the city's remaining liberal voices, raising questions about the future of democracy in Hong Kong.
The Democratic Party, founded in the lead-up to Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China in 1997, has long been a beacon of opposition in the city. Once a dominant force, sweeping city-wide legislative elections and advocating for democratic reforms and the preservation of freedoms, the party now finds itself at a crossroads.
The Special General Meeting at the party's headquarters will be a pivotal moment, as members will vote on the party's 'dissolution and liquidation' arrangements. According to party officials, senior members have been approached by Chinese officials or intermediaries and warned to disband or face severe consequences, including potential arrests. A committee has been working for over half a year to navigate the legal and accounting matters, as well as prepare for the sale of their headquarters in the Kowloon district.
The vote on disbandment requires a 75% majority to pass, and it comes at a critical time. Just a week prior, Hong Kong held a 'patriots only' legislative council election, and the media mogul and China critic Jimmy Lai is awaiting a verdict in a landmark national security trial. Under Hong Kong's 'One-Country, Two Systems' arrangement, the city was promised
