Overview

• The League of Social Democrats was founded in 2006 and built its reputation on boisterous street-level campaigning against social and economic inequalities.
• It once held three seats in Hong Kong’s legislature but saw its influence wane after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020.
• Four members, including current leader Chan Po-ying, were fined this month for displaying a black cloth and raising funds without permits during street campaigns.
• Figurehead Leung Kwok-hung was arrested in 2021 and jailed last year as part of a subversion case targeting 47 opposition activists.
• The announcement follows the Democratic Party’s formal shutdown process this year and the Civic Party’s disbandment in 2023, leaving Hong Kong without significant opposition parties.