Hong Kong’s Democratic Party voted on Sunday to form its new leadership. Lo Kin-hei, chair of the Southern District Council, was elected the youngest chairperson of the old-guard opposition party, while former legislator Lam Cheuk-ting and Kwun Tong district councilor Edith Leung were selected as deputies.

Lo, 36, said the pro-democracy group will form a shadow party as a platform to voice opinions on government policies and political problems.

Lo joined the Democratic Party in 2006 and became a district councilor of the Southern district as well as deputy chairperson of the group in 2012. Though he expects more crackdown to come, the party vows to hold its ground and he urges Hong Kong people not to admit defeat.

Without any opposition lawmakers in the Legislative Council since their mass resignation and blatant changes in election rules, a question mark now hangs over the future of parliamentary resistance. Lo said whether the party will participate in future elections depends on the voting and election system as well as changes in LegCo rules, which they will observe closely.

Lo admitted the purpose of having opposition in the LegCo is now different, but its new purpose still requires further thoughts. He stressed that the group will not “give up on any pathway of resistance.” The newly formed shadow party will also meet regularly with the press to comment on political and social affairs.

Deputy chairperson Edith Leung said she hopes all members of the party, including 89 district councilors, can engage in debates and discuss the future of the party in solidarity. She acknowledged the need for risk management as the government is set to make patriotism mandatory for legislators, requiring them to vow allegiance to the city’s government and the Basic Law. She also reiterated the need to strengthen local networks.

Lam described himself as a thorn in the eyes of the regime and therefore important in the fight against political crackdown. He hopes the party can strengthen its online promotion and community work and raise sufficient funds for its future operations.

Lam said he had no prior knowledge of former party member Ted Hui’s plan to go on exile. He vowed to assist Hui through whatever legal means available.

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