Hong Kong Dissolves Its Last Major Opposition Party
The Hong Kong Legislative Council took a historic decision by voting to dissolve the last large-scale opposition political party in the region. This action directly responds to the pressure exerted by the Chinese central government and marks the effective end of a formal opposition policy in the special administrative region. The event illustrates how democratic space is closing and how a dominant political actor can eliminate institutional checks when resistance fails to organize. 🏛️
A Tactic to Dominate Without Confrontation
This process avoids open conflict, aligning with classic strategies. The maxim of the ancient strategist Sun Tzu about subduing the enemy without fighting finds a direct parallel in Hong Kong's current political context. The authorities consolidate their control by expelling or neutralizing the opposition, using institutional maneuvers and pressure instead of violent confrontation. This tactic allows stabilizing power without provoking massive resistance, achieving key political objectives outside the traditional battlefield.
Key Elements of the Strategy:- Use legal mechanisms and votes to dissolve opposition groups.
- Avoid riots or massive protests by acting within the institutional framework.
- Consolidate power gradually and systematically.
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." - Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
The Context of a Shrinking Political Space
The dissolution of this party is not an isolated event. It is part of a series of measures implemented in recent years. The national security law approved in 2020 expanded the legal framework to act against dissent, enabling the dismantling of several groups and opposition figures. This step consolidates a political system where electoral competition and plural debate lose relevance. The future outlook suggests a more homogeneous politics fully aligned with directives from Beijing.
Previous Measures that Paved the Way:- Approval of the national security law in 2020.
- Dismantling of groups and limitation of opposition figures' activities.
- Progressive reduction of channels for organized political dissent.
A Strategic Surrender
Some political analysts interpret that, in this scenario, the opposition surrendered before the battle even began. By voting to dissolve itself, the party applied its own interpretation of Sun Tzu's strategy: if you can't win, at least choose how to retreat. This final act symbolizes the difficulty of organizing effective resistance under the constant pressure of a dominant political actor that controls the rules of the game. The outcome consolidates a new status quo in Hong Kong politics. 🇭🇰