On the wall of the Social Democratic Party’s office coalition, the Chinese free character is articulated on the court admission sheet.
Party members take turns speaking into a microphone connected to the speaker. They stood on a banner with the words “I would rather be ashes than dust” written in Chinese. The party was founded 20 years ago and is known as the last protest group in Hong Kong.
Party Chairman Chan Po Ying told the BBC.
“We decided to disband because we were under a lot of pressure.”
She added that everything in Hong Kong has been politicized and she cannot explain the reasons in more detail.
The party is the third major opposition party to be dissolved in Hong Kong this year. The group is known for its street protests, and the group made a decision after “calling” and avoiding “consequences” of its members.
The announcement of the dissolution came a few days before the fifth anniversary of the National Security Law imposed by Beijing. The party said it could not elaborate on its closing time, but said it was under “tremendous pressure”.
“Over the past 19 years, we have experienced difficulties in internal disputes and almost complete incarceration of leadership, while witnessing the erosion of civil society, the fading of voices at the grassroots, the omnipotence of the red line and the severe suppression of dissidents,” it said in a statement.
Authorities say the National Security Act is needed to follow the frequent violent protests in 2019. But for five years, critics say it has been used to tear down political opposition.
In June, a Chinese official claimed hostile forces were still interfering in the city.
“We must clearly see that the elements of chaos against China and Hong Kong are still ruthless and are updating all forms of soft resistance,” Xia Baolong said in his speech.
National Security Act crimes, such as subversion. In 2024, Hong Kong passed the Domestic National Security Act, known as Article 23, criminalizing crimes such as incitement and treason. Today, most of Hong Kong’s political opposition has either fled the territory or been detained.
“I don’t think it’s safe to actually host a political party anymore. I think political rights are almost completely gone in Hong Kong,” Vice Chairman Dickson Chau told the BBC.
On June 12, three members were fined by the District Court for collecting funds from the public without permission while hanging banners on street booths.
Critics say opposition groups are facing political persecution. Joe said the party’s bank account was closed in 2023. Six party members have been imprisoned over the past five years.
“A place without any meaningful political party, then sooner or later people will forget how powerful they would be if they were able to unite and make a voice in a collective way.”
“If I do nothing, why am I here in Hong Kong?”
He said he was worried that he would still find himself the target of the police and was under pressure from the authorities to leave Hong Kong.
“As a citizen, the future is very difficult. If you want to exercise your rights, it will be very difficult. Not only for politicians or activists, but even ordinary people need to think twice before they can.”
He added: “It’s a dilemma, and I didn’t expect to be just facing an activist in Hong Kong.”
