Hong Kong: One of the last pro-democracy parties disappears. Signa Development Selection files for bankruptcy on Friday

Alan Leong, the co-founder of Hong Kong’s Civic Party, is left with nothing but a few green and purple pins with the date his party was founded. At the end of the year, the curtain will fall on one of the best-known opposition groups in the Chinese Special Administrative Region. Considering the increasing pressure from Beijing and because no new board could be found, the members decided to dissolve the party in May.

“Political reality” has caught up with the Civic Party, Leong told AFP news agency. The lack of money and morale also contributed to the decision. In recent days, the 65-year-old had to watch as the furniture gradually disappeared from the party headquarters.

He has never doubted the ability of the people of Hong Kong to govern the special administrative region, “but there are things that are beyond our control,” Leong said. The fact that it was now over felt like a relief to him, he assured – as if “the burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders”.

Goal: promote democratization

The Citizens’ Party, often called the Lawyers’ Party, was founded in the Chinese Special Administrative Region on March 19, 2006, mainly by lawyers. The aim was to promote democratization and civil society in Hong Kong.

The founders came to power promising to elect representatives in general elections, recalls Albert Lai, who was a member from the start. The Citizens’ Party “wanted to become a party that governs”.

Second largest opposition group

At the height of its popularity, the party was the second largest group in the opposition camp. However, since the massive pro-democracy protests of 2019, a half-dozen leading party members have been prosecuted for participating in protests and attempting to raise money for the demonstrations.

As a result of the ‘security law’ that Beijing passed in 2020, the few opposition groups in Hong Kong came under increasing pressure, which was also clearly felt within the Civic Party: all party representatives in the municipal councils were removed.

Bounty of one million Hong Kong dollars

One of them, Dennis Kwok, who lives in exile, is wanted by the police for “secret agreements”. There is a bounty of one million Hong Kong dollars (about 108,000 francs) on his head. Chinese state television described the Civic Party as an “anti-China destabilization organization.”

Despite the dissolution of his party and increasing pressure from Beijing, there is hope for party co-founder Leong. He was confident “that another party will see the light of day,” he said.

(jam/sda/afp)