A new collaboration with Lib Dems Abroad, HK branch

Joint Chinese Liberal Democrat membership officers Yeing-Lang and Roger Crouch met up with members of the newly formed Hong Kong branch of Liberal Democrats Abroad on their recent trip to HongKong. Whilst the branch is a new one, the Liberal Democrats (and before the merger, the SDP and Liberal Parties) have been active in Hong Kong since the 1980s. When he was leader, Paddy Ashdown was a frequent visitor and obtained a high profile, given his Mandarin language skills, in Hong Kong particularly following the events of 1989.

Over lunch at the Foreign Correspondents Club, they discussed Hong Kong politics, the selection of the Chief Executive and elections to the Legislative Council. The pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance is the dominant player in local politics with liberal democracy promoted by the Democratic Party and Civic Party.

Promoting their activities in both the Chinese and English press, the Hong Kong branch of the Liberal Democrats provide a social and political network for Liberal Democrats who are either permanently or temporarily resident in Hong Kong and, whilst 6,000 miles from Westminster, meet up and debate with their counterparts in the local Conservative and Labour branches. Given our common interest in Chinese affairs, Chinese LibDems will be working closely with our colleagues in HK.