**Hong Kong's Democratic Party Aims to Officially Disband Amid Political Pressure**

**The Democratic Party's chairman indicated that members would soon vote on the future of the 31-year-old party amidst a climate of political repression and recent electoral changes.**

Hong Kong's Democratic Party, once a bastion of the city's opposition, has announced plans to dissolve amidst a tightening grip from the Chinese government on dissent following the unrest of 2019. Party chairman Lo Kin-hei revealed in a late press conference that the party will allow its members to vote on the dissolution, a significant decision for a group that has operated for 31 years.

The party's struggles have intensified especially after the implementation of national security laws and a series of electoral reforms by Beijing, which critics claim undermine the democratic process in the territory. After these moves, known as the "patriots law," only individuals deemed loyal to the Communist regime have been allowed to participate in elections, effectively sidelining opposition candidates, including those from the Democratic Party.

At the conference, Mr. Lo stated that the decision to dissolve was influenced by the "current political situation," although he refrained from confirming whether it was taken under external pressure. The party has formed a dedicated group to manage the shutdown process, requiring at least 75% approval from attending members at an upcoming meeting to finalize the decision.

Regina Ip, a senior advisor to the Hong Kong government, claim the party's declining support stemmed from its contentious agenda against China. She expressed no surprise at its dwindling base, indicating that the Democratic Party had reached an impasse.

Historically, the Democratic Party had engaged in direct discussions with Chinese officials, notably in 2010, regarding electoral reforms. However, this endeavor drew criticism from younger members, leading to a significant rift that resulted in reduced support over the years. Though the party momentarily regained traction with a successful performance in the 2019 local elections amidst protests, many of its key figures are now either imprisoned or in exile due to the national security law's sweeping enforcement.

This situation has compelled individuals such as former legislator Ted Hui to flee abroad, while others face legal challenges back home, culminating in asset confiscations. The current atmosphere raises concerns over the future of political dissent and the viability of opposition within Hong Kong, echoing broader tensions in the region's relationship with Beijing.