Democratic Party Faces Dissolution Amid Beijing Pressure

Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, is considering dissolution due to mounting pressure from Beijing under the national security law, which has led to arrests and harassment of its members. The decision follows Beijing's electoral reforms that effectively bar pro-democracy candidates from elections, significantly diminishing the party's influence. The party, founded in 1994, played a pivotal role in advocating for democracy but has struggled since the 2019 protests and subsequent crackdown. A task force has been established to manage the dissolution process, and a final decision will be made through a members' vote. Despite internal divisions, key members, like founding member Fred Li, feel dissolution is inevitable, while others, such as former chair Emily Lau, hope to avoid it. The party's leadership has not disclosed whether the decision to disband was made under direct political pressure, but the move reflects the broader challenges faced by civil society groups in Hong Kong today.