League of Social Democrats says it experienced a ‘crisis where almost all of its leadership faced imprisonment due to civil disobedience’
Hong Kong’s opposition League of Social Democrats on Sunday cited “immense political pressure” and the “safety” of its members in folding the party months before its 20th anniversary.
The league, which was at the forefront of many large-scale protests and civil disobedience efforts, is the third major opposition political party to disband following the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law in 2020.
“Facing immense political pressure, and having considered all factors, especially the safety of our members and those who walk with us, we can only sadly announce our dissolution,” party chairwoman Chan Po-ying said.
Asked to specify the “political pressure” it faced and whether it was told to disband before July 1, the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, Chan said she could not say anything beyond the statement the party had prepared.
“We had no other choice,” she said.
A party press conference at a Chai Wan industrial building was attended by Chan and six members, including Figo Chan Ho-wun, Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Tsang Kin-shing.
