Several former members of the Democratic Party announced on Monday that they will set up a new group which advocates a moderate political stance, differing from both the pro-establishment and pro-democracy camps.
Nelson Wong Sing-chi, a DP founding member who was expelled in July this year, and Tik Chi-yuen, the former DP vice-chairman, who quit the party after attending the World War II military parade in Beijing this month, will be leaders of the new political platform, set to be launched on January 7, 2016, Apple Daily reported.
The new group aims to take root in Hong Kong but also to “recognise China and help the country develop.” In an informal press briefing on Monday, Wong and Tik said that its members will strive to participate in the administration of Hong Kong affairs by joining the government and legislature, according to Apple Daily.
Speaking on Commercial Radio on Tuesday, Tik said the group hopes to find “a third road” and unite moderate pan-democrats as well as more liberal forces in the pro-establishment camp.
Other core members of the group include former DP members Chan Ka-wai and Chow Yick-hay, as well as Shih Wing-ching, co-founder of Centaline Property Agency.
Wong was kicked out of the Democratic Party in July over his stance on political reform. The 57-year-old made an open call for pan-democrats to accept the government’s constitutional reform proposal while the party’s official line was to reject it.
