Hong Kong’s last remaining active pro-democracy party, the League of Social Democrats (LSD), has officially disbanded, marking a historic turning point in the city’s political landscape as Beijing’s crackdown on dissent reaches unprecedented levels. The LSD announced its dissolution on June 29, 2025, after 19 years of advocacy for democratic reform and grassroots rights.
Party leadership cited “immense political pressure” and growing concerns for the safety of its members as the primary reasons for the unanimous decision to disband. This move comes amid a years-long campaign by Beijing to suppress opposition, particularly following the 2019 mass protests and the imposition of the sweeping national security law in 2020. That law led to the prosecution, jailing, or exile of most pro-democracy activists and forced the closure of dozens of civil society groups and independent media outlets.
The LSD was the last pro-democracy group still staging occasional street protests and operating public booths, even as police surveillance and legal risks intensified. At a press conference, party chair Chan Po-ying expressed both pride in the party’s legacy and deep sadness at its closure, acknowledging that “the road has narrowed beyond passage” and stating, “we have no other choice” but to step aside.
Founded in 2006, the LSD was known for its radical approach, colorful protests, and vocal criticism of both social inequality and Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong. At its peak in 2008, the party held three seats in the city’s legislature and played a key role in mainstreaming a more confrontational pro-democracy agenda.
The party’s decline accelerated after the 2020 national security law, which critics argue has “quelled dissent and curbed rights,” with many of its leaders jailed or fined for protest activities. The disbandment of the LSD follows the closure of other major opposition parties, including the Civic Party in 2023 and the Democratic Party’s winding down in early 2025.
As a result, Hong Kong is now left with no organized pro-democracy opposition capable of mounting public protests or challenging the government openly.
The dissolution of the LSD is widely seen as the final blow to Hong Kong’s formal pro-democracy movement, signaling the effective end of organized opposition and public protest in the city under Beijing’s rule. Chan Po-ying warned that the “domino effect” of disbandments is not over, stating, “After the Democratic Party it was the League of Social Democrats. After us, who’s next?” The international community and human rights observers have expressed grave concern over the shrinking space for civil society and political freedom in Hong Kong.
Party leadership cited “immense political pressure” and growing concerns for the safety of its members as the primary reasons for the unanimous decision to disband. This move comes amid a years-long campaign by Beijing to suppress opposition, particularly following the 2019 mass protests and the imposition of the sweeping national security law in 2020. That law led to the prosecution, jailing, or exile of most pro-democracy activists and forced the closure of dozens of civil society groups and independent media outlets.
The LSD was the last pro-democracy group still staging occasional street protests and operating public booths, even as police surveillance and legal risks intensified. At a press conference, party chair Chan Po-ying expressed both pride in the party’s legacy and deep sadness at its closure, acknowledging that “the road has narrowed beyond passage” and stating, “we have no other choice” but to step aside.
Founded in 2006, the LSD was known for its radical approach, colorful protests, and vocal criticism of both social inequality and Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong. At its peak in 2008, the party held three seats in the city’s legislature and played a key role in mainstreaming a more confrontational pro-democracy agenda.
The party’s decline accelerated after the 2020 national security law, which critics argue has “quelled dissent and curbed rights,” with many of its leaders jailed or fined for protest activities. The disbandment of the LSD follows the closure of other major opposition parties, including the Civic Party in 2023 and the Democratic Party’s winding down in early 2025.
As a result, Hong Kong is now left with no organized pro-democracy opposition capable of mounting public protests or challenging the government openly.
The dissolution of the LSD is widely seen as the final blow to Hong Kong’s formal pro-democracy movement, signaling the effective end of organized opposition and public protest in the city under Beijing’s rule. Chan Po-ying warned that the “domino effect” of disbandments is not over, stating, “After the Democratic Party it was the League of Social Democrats. After us, who’s next?” The international community and human rights observers have expressed grave concern over the shrinking space for civil society and political freedom in Hong Kong.
