Hong Kong’s League of Social Democrats to disband after 19 years of opposition

The League of Social Democrats, one of Hong Kong’s last opposition political parties, has announced it will disband after operating for nearly two decades.

The decision was revealed in a press event invite sent out by the political party on Friday. In the document, the group said it would share further details about its plan to disband in the briefing on Sunday.

“Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the League of Social Democrats. However, we will not survive to see that day and will announce our disbandment,” it said.

The invitation did not specify why the party was opting to disband.

The decision was made as the city prepares to mark the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the 2020 national security law.

Founded in 2006, the group was considered the “radical wing” of the city’s opposition camp. At one point, three party members held seats in the Legislative Council, including veteran activist and league co-founder “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung.