Veterans of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party ‘deeply saddened’ by plan to disband

Veterans of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party have described a motion to disband the group as “deeply sad”, saying the move takes into consideration the situation facing core members and those currently in prison.

One of the party veterans also said on Friday that a contact in the Communist Party of China had previously expressed doubts about whether the local political group would survive long enough to take part in the Legislative Council election in December.

A day earlier, the Democratic Party’s central committee made a collective decision to put forward a motion to dissolve. The move is set to be reviewed by all 400 members before a final decision is reached.

“Personally, I would vote for [dissolving] with deep sadness and resignation,” Fred Li Wah-ming, a former vice-president of the party, told a radio programme.

“Given the current situation and circumstances, and with no money, how can the party continue? We have the will, but lack the means.”

The ex-lawmaker also recalled a recent conversation with a member of the Communist Party. He asked his contact whether the city’s oldest opposition party would be able to secure nominations to run in the coming Legco election.