Less than one month ago, on December 17, 2006, in the Hong Kong Democratic Party (HKDP) chairman’s election, Albert Ho Chun-yan was swept into office in a landslide victory and became the fourth Chairman of the party.
Ho was the party’s former vice chairman and is a Hong Kong legislator. In August last year, because of his strong stand on China’s human rights issues and Hong Kong’s democratic reform, Ho was attacked by three men armed with baseball bats, who were suspected of working for the communist regime (CCP). As the new leader of the oldest party in Hong Kong’s political history, where will Ho lead the party after he assumes the leadership from his predecessor, Lee Wing-tat? Recently the Epoch Times interviewed Ho to find out.
Largest Opposition Party in All of China
“After I was elected, although many people told me their many differing expectations, I want to say that my direction is very clear. I can and will cooperate with many different kinds of people, people that have different opinions than me, but I will make full use of the whole party’s political power.”
“The most important point is we have the dream of a democratic China. Some people believe they only need to take care of Hong Kong. We believe Hong Kong’s success will push all of China to walk towards democracy, this is why Hong Kong is an important place.”
“The Democratic Party is very small; we only have several hundred party members, 80 District Council Members and 9 Legislative Council members. It is small compared to all of China; it’s not even the biggest party in Hong Kong.”
“But, our Democratic Party is the biggest and most organized opposition party in China. You see, such a small party is actually the biggest opposition in China. This is most important.”
“Hong Kong’s local democratic movement is also the most organized and powerful democratic movement in all of China. Hong Kong’s Democratic Accountability System is an example for all of China.”
When asked, “As the biggest opposition party in China, do you feel any pressure?” Ho answered, “Definitely, even if I am only handling Hong Kong affairs and do not concern myself with matters in mainland China, as long as you continue to allow party members to participate in activities organized by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, as long as you continue to take part in candlelight gatherings and activities that promote democracy in China and call for an end to the one party dictatorship, you are already seen as an outcast and an enemy of the communist government.”
