When Yeung Sum co-founded the Democratic Party over three decades ago, building a democratic Hong Kong seemed a "difficult dream"—but one that was not impossible. Now, that dream appears to be ending.
The Democratic Party, once Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy group and a prominent advocate for civil liberties, is preparing to disband under intense political pressure, as freedoms continue to erode under Beijing’s expanding control.
The looming dissolution is being seen as a stark symbol of the dismantling of Western-style freedoms and the promised autonomy granted to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under the "one country, two systems" framework.
Pro-democracy protests that erupted in 2019 triggered a sweeping crackdown, which has since silenced dissent through restricted elections, shuttered media outlets, and the imposition of a stringent national security law. Many party members were jailed. Dozens of civil society organisations have folded under pressure.
Founding member Yeung asserted Chinese officials had urged the party to disband.
“I'm not very happy about it," he said. “But I can see if we refuse the call to disband, we may pay a very huge price for it.”
Fred Li, another veteran, noted that Chinese authorities implied the party would not survive the upcoming legislative election. Fellow founding member Sin Chung-kai revealed that local members were warned of consequences in February if the party remained active.
A long democratic journey
The Democratic Party was founded in 1994 through the merger of two pro-democracy organisations. Despite supporting Hong Kong’s return to China, it maintained a strong stance on democratic development and civil rights.
In its early years, it secured the most seats in the Legislative Council. Before the electoral overhaul in 2021, it remained a leading voice for democracy even after losing its numerical majority. At the time, Yeung recalled the pro-democracy camp drawing about 60% of the popular vote.
“There was a period when Hong Kong’s social system looked quite promising,” Yeung said.
But the party's fortunes shifted after a controversial decision in 2010 to support a political reform package negotiated with Beijing. Although the reform allowed millions to directly elect district lawmakers, it led to backlash from within the pro-democracy camp and cost the party two seats in 2012.
Emily Lau, then chairperson and a key negotiator, defended the move. “Maybe the only thing I would have done a bit differently is not to go into the (Beijing's) liaison office (in Hong Kong). I guess we underestimated how many Hong Kong people hated them,” she said.
As new groups and younger activists emerged after the 2014 Umbrella Movement, the Democratic Party’s influence waned. Yet during the 2019 protests, it regained significant public support.
From opposition party to pressure group
The tide turned decisively following Beijing’s 2020 imposition of the national security law. Several senior figures, including former chairmen Albert Ho and Wu Chi-wai, are now imprisoned.
The party has effectively disappeared from the political scene, skipping the 2021 legislative election under the new rules that allowed only “patriots” to stand for office. Other groups, such as the Civic Party and the organisers of the Tiananmen vigil, have already disbanded. Some activists fled into exile, while others abandoned public roles.
Even so, the Democratic Party persisted with subdued activism, issuing policy statements and submitting input on the new security legislation enacted in March 2024.
Yet the pressure proved unrelenting. “Unfortunately, this pressure group is also under pressure,” said Ramon Yuen, a long-time member.
In February, the party’s central committee formed a task force to examine the procedure for dissolution. A meeting this Sunday is expected to mandate the leadership to initiate the process, with a final vote to follow.
Yuen reflected on the gravity of the decision. “If it’s shuttered, the city will lose a voice advocating for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,” he said.
Yeung, who served 14 months in prison for his role in the 2019 protests, called the move a “very huge setback” for the city. He believes the party’s end will make it harder for the world to trust Beijing’s promises.
Yet he remains hopeful. “Maybe no more democratic formation of party. But I think people's hearts for democracy, they will not fade out. They still keep it, maybe in different form.”
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