Hong Kong’s Democratic Party votes to disband after 31 years

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party has voted to disband and enter liquidation, bringing an end to more than three decades of political activity in the city.

The decision was passed at a central committee meeting on Sunday. Party chairman Lo Kin-hei said the party’s operations would conclude on Monday, adding that the liquidation process is expected to take about a year, although it will be handled entirely by appointed liquidators.

Lo said any remaining funds would be donated to the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims.

Party member and former lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming said he felt saddened by the dissolution and had not expected the party to reach such a conclusion.

He said times have changed and the party’s influence has diminished over the decades, adding that its continued existence had little value, which led him to support the decision to disband.

Despite the absence of plans to form a new organization, Li said party members remain united and will continue to meet on a regular basis.

The party set up a three-member task force led by Lo in February to begin preparations for disbandment. At a subsequent central committee meeting in April, more than 90 percent of members voted in favor of authorizing the committee to proceed with the dissolution.