Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, once the largest and most influential opposition group in the city, has announced it will begin the process of dissolution, marking a symbolic and sobering end to over three decades of organized pro-democracy politics in the former British colony.
The decision comes after years of mounting pressure from Beijing, which intensified following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Since then, China has enacted sweeping national security laws, disqualified pro-democracy lawmakers, and reshaped Hong Kong’s political landscape to ensure near-total control by pro-Beijing forces.
Founded in the early 1990s, the Democratic Party played a key role in advocating for civil liberties, democratic reform, and greater autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework. But in recent years, it has lost members, faced fundraising challenges, and been barred from running candidates in local elections.
In an interview with CNN, former party chair Emily Lau said the dissolution signals a major setback for Hong Kong’s democracy movement. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “But under the current political environment, it’s become nearly impossible for the party to function.”
The move underscores how deeply Hong Kong’s political freedoms have eroded. With the Democratic Party stepping aside, the city’s remaining pro-democracy forces face an increasingly uncertain future.
