Leading Hong Kong pro-democracy party disbands

One of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy political parties has shut down, in a significant blow to the movement fighting for greater autonomy in the face of Beijing’s unprecedented crackdown on dissent.

- SHWETA SHARMA

The League of Social Democrats (LSD), which has been one of the most vocal critics of Beijing's tightening grip over Hong Kong’s political system, announced its decision to disband due to “immense political pressure”.

In an emotional Facebook post on Sunday, a statement from the party read: “We leave with heavy hearts, and with an ache in our conscience, knowing we will not be the last to fall. Even as we step aside, we stand with those still struggling in the shadows.”

The LSD was the only remaining political party that still held small pro-democracy protests and carried out street booth activities to continue its advocacy work despite the risk of police action.

The statement came a day before today’s 28th anniversary of the former British colony’s return to Chinese rule, an event that has long been marked with annual pro-democracy protests against China’s tightening control over the city, and demonstrations demanding better policies.

Following the massive and months-long anti-government protests in 2019 that erupted in response to a proposed law allowing extraditions to mainland China, Beijing imposed a national security law in June 2020, effectively silencing dissent.