Hong Kong’s Largest And Last Pro-Democracy Opposition Party Has Disbanded Due To Political Pressure
On December 14, the DP, founded in 1994, announced it will officially disband after serving as hong kong's largest pro-democracy party for 30 years.
Hong Kong’s largest and last pro-democracy opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP), has officially disbanded after facing political pressure under the national security law.
In 2020, China imposed the national security law in Hong Kong, and
Since then, Hong Kong authorities have used the law to crack down on dissent and political opposition, closing down major newspapers, arresting and sentencing activists, journalists and politicians.
In 2021, China implemented reforms to the electoral process for Hong Kong’s legislative council, allowing “only patriots” or those loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to run for office.
The legislation put pressure on pro-democracy parties, with many of candidates unable to run.
In early 2025, the Democratic Party (DP), one of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy parties, announced it was undergoing a process of disbandment.
The party was established in 1994 and spent more than 30 years advocating and upholding democratic reforms in Hong Kong.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, 117 out of 121 members voted to disband.
A senior party member told Reuters that Chinese officials had pressured the party to disband or face severe consequences, including possible arrest.
The move comes days after the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and “sedition” under its National Security Law, facing possible life in prison.
DP’s chairperson Lo Kin-hei said the future of Hong Kong’s democracy now depends on its people.
“If Hong Kong people believe that democracy is the way to go, I believe that they will keep on striving for democracy,” Lo said, according to Politico.
In June, Hong Kong’s last pro-democracy party, the League of Social Democrats (LSD), also disbanded after also facing “immense political pressure”.
Cherry Mohamed
Sofia Hou
Isha Jain
