NED and NDI status in Hong Kong

NED and NDI are funded by the US Government

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was established to act as a conduit to disperse US Government funds for ‘promoting democracy’, allocated by Congress to its four core grantees:

(1) The Free Trade Union Institute, representing the labor sector,

(2) The Center for International Private Enterprise, representing the business sector,

(3) The National Democratic Institute, representing the Democratic Party,

(4) The National Republican Institute, representing the Republican Party¹.

1986 NED Overview Hearings report cover

NED  and NDI status under Hong Kong Law

In Hong Kong, the NED is considered a "foreign political organization" (外國政治性組織) under Section 2, Interpretation of the Societies Ordinance because by receiving funds from the US Government and having to consult with the State Department on its programmes, it is ‘an agent of a government of a foreign country or an agent of a political subdivision of the government of a foreign country’.

The NDI is also considered a "foreign political organization" (外國政治性組織) under Section 2, Interpretation of the Societies Ordinance because by receiving funds from the US Government it is ‘an agent of a government of a foreign country’ and because of its affiliations with the Democratic Party of America, it is an agent of is ‘a political party in a foreign country’.

Both the NED and the NDI are operating illegally in Hong Kong under Section 8 of the Societies Ordinance because they represent a threat to the national security of China, as well as a threat to public safety, public order and the rights and freedoms of others in Hong Kong².

References

¹Oversight of the National Endowment for Democracy : hearings before the Subcommittee on International Operations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-ninth Congress, second session, May 14 and 20, June 11, 1986. NED 1986 Oversight Report

²Societies Ordinance, Cap 151, Laws of Hong Kong. Section 2, Interpretation of a "foreign political organization" (外國政治性組織).