Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party took an initial step toward dissolving on Thursday. Hong Kong’s Democratic Party’s chairperson Lo Kin-hei said in a news conference that the party's central committee decided to set up a task force to look into the procedures involved.

The Civic Party, Hong Kong's second largest pro-democracy political party, was dissolved in 2023. A few of its members have also been jailed under the national security law including Alvin Yeung and Jeremy Tam. (Reporting by Anson Law and James Pomfret; additional reporting by Joyce Zhou and Jessie Pang; Editing by William Maclean)

Leaders of Hong Kong’s oldest pro-democracy party said they will seek a vote to shut it down after Beijing’s national security crackdown silenced dissent and barred opposition politicians from public office.

Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy party said Thursday it is considering dissolution after years of mounting pressure from Beijing

The Hong Kong Democratic Party, a leading opposition force dating back to the British colonial era, is set to disband, following a years-long political crackdown in the Chinese territory that has seen prominent activists jailed and pro-democracy figures barred from standing for election.

A 30-year-old Hong Kong political party that used to lead the city's pro-democracy camp before Beijing cracked down on dissent will start preparations to shut down, its leader said Feb. 20. "We are going to proceed and study on the process and procedure that is needed for the disbanding," said Lo Kin-hei, chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party.

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's oldest political party and one of the city's last remaining pro-democracy forces is set to disband, the latest sign that even moderate opposing voices have lost their breathing room in an ever-tightening national security environment.

HK's opposition Democratic Party will set up a special task force to discuss steps to disband, party chair Lo Kin-hei has announced.

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party said on Thursday that it would begin steps to disband, citing the political situation. The city’s largest opposition group, the Democratic Party marked its 30th anniversary last year.