The Democratic Party's Suicide: Radicalism, Infighting, and Jimmy Lai’s Cash

The Democratic Party—once Hong Kong's supposed opposition heavyweight—is dead. December 14th marked the end of operations, leaving founding elder Fred Li weeping on the street, admitting he "never imagined today’s situation." But let's look at the evidence: this wasn't an accident. Plagued by decades of bitter internal factional wars and a disastrous pivot to radicalism during the 2019 riots, the party didn't just fade away; it walked willingly into its own destruction.

Formed in 1994 via a merger of the United Democrats and Meeting Point, the party once dominated the Legislative Council. But the cracks appeared early. By 1998, the so-called "Young Turks"—figures like To Kwan-hang, Albert Chan, and Andrew Cheng—staged a coup during leadership elections. They voted down the "Meeting Point faction's" Anthony Cheung, forcing Lau Chin-shek into the Vice-Chairmanship instead.

The ideological rift widened in 1999. When the "Young Turks" tried to push a minimum wage policy into the party platform, the general meeting shot it down. From that moment, the gap between the aggressive youth wing and the party elders kept widening

The inevitable split happened in 2002. Hardliners To Kwan-hang and Albert Chan walked out to establish the League of Social Democrats. Founding Vice-Chairman Anthony Cheung had enough, quitting in 2004 to join the Executive Council the following year.

Internal Rot and Public Scandals

Between internal fractures and the rise of rivals like the Civic Party, the Democratic Party's grip began to slip. The Legislative Council elections in 2004 and 2008 saw a sharp, quantifiable reduction in their seats.

It wasn't just bad politics; it was bad behavior. The party was mired in scandal. Take the year 2000: James To was exposed for funneling government funds to rent property from "Wui Biu Company"—a firm he held himself—in a blatant suspected conflict of interest. That same year, Ho Wai-to was arrested in Dongguan for soliciting prostitutes.

Then came the bizarre "True Brothers Incident" in 2006. An anonymous leaker dumped emails from the "Reformist" faction, alleging infiltration and claims that members were being "bought off" by officials. Elders Martin Lee and Szeto Wah launched a panic-stricken investigation. Years later, founding member Howard Lam confessed he was the leak—claiming Szeto Wah had actually planted him as an "undercover agent" to spy on his own party members.

By the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014, the political landscape had shifted toward radicalization. The Democratic Party joined the fray but failed to lead. Desperate to stay relevant, they fielded younger candidates in the 2016 Legislative Council election. While Lam Cheuk-ting, Ted Hui, and Roy Kwong helped boost their count to seven seats, this victory came at a cost: radicals like Lam and Hui took the stage, sidelining the moderate elders.

Crossing the Red Line: 2019

During the 2019 anti-extradition turmoil, the mask came off. Instead of dissociating from the chaos, the Democratic Party aligned itself with violent forces. They were frequently spotted at riot sites, obstructing police and shielding violent demonstrators. Chairman Wu Chi-wai provided the defining image of this folly at Tim Mei Avenue, screaming "I want to see the commander" at police lines—a "classic moment" of performative obstruction.

Riding a wave of extreme social hostility, they swept 91 seats in the District Council elections that year. But this was a pyrrhic victory. By embracing extremism to win votes, they passed the point of no return, sowing the very seeds of the total collapse we are witnessing today.

Inside the legislature, the tactics were just as destructive. They relentlessly filibustered to paralyze governance. Ted Hui turned the chamber into a circus, at one point throwing a stink bomb during the National Anthem Bill debate. By late 2020, Hui fled to Denmark under the false pretense of official business, jumped bail, and quit the party. Now a fugitive wanted under the National Security Law, he spends his time in Australia clamoring for sanctions against his home city.

When the 2020 Legislative Council election was postponed, most opposition members initially planned to stay on. However, following the disqualification of four members—including Alvin Yeung and Dennis Kwok—the Democratic Party staged a mass resignation. Their seat count hit "zero," a self-inflicted wound that removed them from the political board entirely.

Subversion and the Money Trail

In 2021, the opposition attempted an illegal "primary election" designed to seize a majority, indiscriminately veto the budget, and paralyze the government. The Democratic Party eagerly participated in this scheme. Consequently, key figures including Wu Chi-wai, Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Andrew Wan, James To, and Roy Kwong were arrested for subversion of state power. The first four have since been prosecuted and handed prison sentences ranging from over 4 to nearly 7 years.

And then there's the money. Evidence from the collusion trial of Jimmy Lai exposes the financial lifeline. Transaction records reveal that between 2013 and 2020, Lai’s aide Mark Simon received HK$118.66 million from Lai. Given Simon’s salary was only about HK$1.2 million, the bulk of this cash was clearly not for him. The funds were funneled to various opposition groups in 72 separate transfers. Crucially, "Lais Hotel"—a company controlled by Lai and Simon—was caught remitting a staggering HK$5 million directly to the Democratic Party headquarters. 

Looking back at the Democratic Party’s 30-year trajectory, the conclusion is inescapable. Defined by ceaseless infighting, an addiction to radicalism, and a refusal to cut ties with violence, they dug their own grave. They passed the point of no return long ago, marching blindly down a dead-end road to self-destruction.

Ariel

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

The verdict lands today, and Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is found guilty on three counts — conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials, all tied to the Hong Kong National Security Law. For months, anti-China figures keep selling the same dramatic line: Lai is being treated inhumanely and is supposedly in terrible shape.

Right before the ruling, Lai’s two children go to overseas outlets including Agence France-Presse (AFP) with a grim portrait. They say he is far weaker, his teeth are gradually rotting, and his fingernails discolour and fall off — turning “almost purple, grey and greenish before they fell off” — and they urge the UK and the US to step in and pressure China.

But the scene in court tells a very different story — and it’s hard to miss. Observers say Lai has slimmed down, yes, but he looks alert and in decent spirits, walks normally, and doesn’t need anyone to hold him up; he waves to his family going in and trades hand gestures with his lawyers going out, and one witness says his fingernails look pink, not “discoloured and falling off” as claimed.

Meanwhile, the long-running accusation that Lai is abused in custody — and denied proper care — keeps getting recycled. On that point, Chief Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah of the Police National Security Department speaks to reporters today, describing how the Correctional Services Department handles Lai’s health.

So what’s the medical record? Li lays it out plainly. Since 2022, offshore groups who’ve never even met Lai in custody keep manufacturing malicious accusations --claiming inhumane treatment, declining health, the whole playbook – trying to smear the government and meddle with the trial. But the facts tell another story. Lai’s own legal representatives issued a statement in September 2024 clarifying he's been getting proper care all along.

During closing arguments on August 15 this year, the court reveals what actually happened: Lai reports palpitations, and the Correctional Services Department immediately arranges specialist diagnosis; his ECG and blood test results come back normal, yet doctors still recommend that he wears a dynamic ECG monitor and receive daily blood pressure and pulse checks from medical staff. Even the judge praises the Correctional Services Department’s medical arrangements for Lai in court.

Li also points to another overseas-media claim — this time from Lai’s daughter — saying his vision and hearing have sharply declined, he has mobility problems, and a welfare officer advised her not to visit. Authorities say they find no such record, and Li calls it a “smear campaign” aimed at seriously damaging Hong Kong’s system.

Li digs deeper into the allegations. He notes that Lai’s daughter, Lai Choi, claims a welfare officer called in 2024 to cancel a visit, because her father was too sick to see anyone. But the official logs prove that call never existed – exposing her claim as yet another malicious smear fueled by fake news.

When you put all the facts together, the familiar anti-China script claiming that "Jimmy Lai was abused" simply collapses under scrutiny.