| The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong 民主建港協進聯盟
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| Chairperson | Tam Yiu Chung |
| Founded | 10 July, 1992 |
| Headquarters | 12/F, SUP Tower 83 King's Road North Point, Hong Kong |
| Official ideology/ political position |
Pro-Beijing Public face for the Communist Party of China[1] |
| National affiliation | Hong Kong |
| Official color(s) | Red, blue |
| Website | http://www.dab.org.hk/ |
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) (traditional Chinese: 民主建港協進聯盟, or 民建聯 in short), formerly known as The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (民主建港聯盟) is the largest pro-Beijing political party in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Founded in 10 July 1992, the party has been headed by Ma Lik since December 2003 until his death in August 2007.
Contents |
History
A year before the founding of the group in 1991, the party members did not admit to being conservative or admit to having any pro-Beijing affiliations. A merger with the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance was announced on 16 February 2005. The two parties were merged with new leadership selected on 31 May 2005. The group was formed with the assistance of the Xinhua News Agency.[1] It is the public face of the Communist Party of China in Hong Kong.[1] It also have financial support from Leftist trade unions and continual financial backings from mainland China sources.[1] The party is known for its support of China as the sovereign of Hong Kong. Other trademark include the recognition that Tiananmen Square massacre was only history.[2] Other party concepts include a slow and gradual move toward democracy to maintain stability and prosperity.[2] The party has immense manpower and financial support from pro-Beijing, conservatives, and kaifong forces during election times. Its main claim is that it is natural for ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong to be "patriotic" and pro-PRC.[2]
Party beliefs
The DAB is a conservative and pro-Chinese government party. The DAB chairman Malik in July 2005)[3] listed the party's five objectives:
- furthering co-operation between Hong Kong and the mainland, promoting mutual trust, and creating win-win opportunities economically.
- "constructive monitor" of the SAR government, scrutinising various government policies and decisions, providing "constructive policy alternatives" whilst securing the progress, prosperity, social stability and harmony for Hong Kong.
- to break down social barriers based on the common interest of Hong Kong; to strengthen communications with Hong Kong residents to better reflect their opinion; to be more accountable to the public.
- to nurture political talent by committing the necessary funding, organising training, providing opportunities for those who want to take part in politics.
- to develop the DAB, through membership drive
Elections
The party started with a single seat on the Legislative Council (LegCo). The 1995 LegCo elections increased the DAB's share to six seats. After 1997 when Hong Kong was transferred to the People's Republic of China (PRC), DAB enjoyed political favour from the PRC, and gained a number of seats in Legco through Functional Constituency election which was deemed unfair, and they remain unfavour in local district direct election. In 2000 it had ten councillors in Legco. The most recent Legislative Council election in 2004, it become the largest (by number) political party to be represented with 12 seats, with the Liberal Party coming second (10 seats), and the Democratic Party coming third (9 seats). Twelve district councillors joined the party on its formation, a share that increased to 37 seats in the 1994 elections and 83 in 1999. In the wake of the controversies over the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law in 2003, the party's popularity dropped drastically and the November 2003 District Councils elections saw its seats drop to 62. The election results have led to the resignation of its former Chairman, Jasper Tsang Yok-sing[4]. However, as Ma Lik had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer from 2004 until his death in 2007, Tsang still effectively controls the DAB. The DAB and its sister organisation HKFTU are well-known for their ability to mobilize their supporters, including employees of PRC state-owned companies, to vote for their candidates in elections. In the 2004 Legislative Council election, they managed to exploit the proportional representation electoral system to equalise votes for two of the candidates the party endorsed standing in the same constituency. Although support of Chan Yuen Han (DAB) was far higher than Chan Kam Lam (HKFTU), according to earlier polls, the two organisations managed to have both elected. At another constituency, the ticket of Ma Lik and Choy So Yuk ultimately benefitted from a democratic camp mix-up that led to the resignation of the Democratic Party's leader, Yeung Sum.
Controversies
Some opinion polls allege that the party is less popular among the younger generation, citizens with higher education levels, and those who are dissatisfied with the current government system.
Ties to 1967 riot
Most notable is member Tsang Tak-sing, who was a participant of the Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots. He was arrested and jailed for two years for distributing "inflammatory leaflets"[5]
"not a massacre"
On May 15, 2007, party leader Ma Lik provoked nearly universal condemnation when he said that "there was not a massacre" during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, as there was "no intentional and indiscriminate shooting". He said the popular belief of foreigners' "rash claims" that a massacre took place showed Hong Kong's lack of maturity. He said that Hong Kong showed, through this lack of patriotism and national identity, that it would thus "not be ready for democracy until 2022"[6]. Vice Chairman Tam Yiu Chung defended Ma, but questioned the timing: "people will understand it gradually"[6]. However, Vice Chairman Lau Kong Wah, immediately offered to apologise, and distanced the party from Ma, saying that Ma had expressed "a personal opinion"[7]. The DAB Central committee declined any further action against ma following their meeting, and there was no official apology.
Side expenses
The DAB has been accused of providing benefits to certain people, including seafood meals and local trips to outlying islands at prices significantly lower than market rates. Other allegations include free transport and meals to mobilise people to rally for its cause. However, none of these practices are strictly illegal.
Factions
As the biggest political party of Hong Kong, the 10-year-party can be divided into three main factions:
- Unionists, i.e. members belonging or came from the Federation of Trade Unions.
- Indigenous residents in the New Territories
- Fujianese
List of chairmen
- Jasper Tsang Yok-sing (July 10, 1992 - December 9, 2003)
- Ma Lik (December 9, 2003 - August 8, 2007)
- Tam Yiu Chung (August 8, 2007 -)
References
- ^ a b c d Beatty, Bob. Democracy, Asian Values, and Hong Kong: Evaluating Political Elite Beliefs. [2003] (2003). Praeger/Greenwood. ISBN 0275976882.
- ^ a b c Chan, Ming K. So, Alvin Y. White, Lynn T. Crisis and Transformation in China's Hong Kong. [2002] (2002). M.E. Sharpe. ISBN 0765610000
- ^ The Speech by Chairman Malik at the 13th Anniversary Reception, Malik, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, July 12, 2005
- ^ Cannix Yau, "DAB chief resigns over 'worst setback'", The Standard, November 25, 2003
- ^ "Chan 'flabbergasted' by attack" South China Morning Post, Thursday, December 6, 2006
- ^ a b Ambrose Leung, "Fury at DAB chief's Tiananmen tirade", Page 1, South China Morning Post, May 16, 2007
- ^ 「馬力認輕佻拒撤觀點,否認促為六四定調 願受黨處分」, Ming Pao, May 17, 2007 (Chinese)
See also
External links
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| Pro-democracy | Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood - Civic Party - Democratic Party - Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions - League of Social Democrats - Neighbourhood and Workers Service Centre - The Frontier |
| Pro-Beijing | The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong - Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions |
| Pro-government | Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions - Liberal Party - The Alliance |
| Others | April Fifth Action |
| Outside the Legco | 7.1 People Pile - Citizens Party - Civic Act-up - New Century Forum - Southern Democratic Alliance - Progressive Party Hong Kong |
| - List of political parties - Politics of Hong Kong - List of political parties in the People's Republic of China | |
