Developing political parties in Hong Kong. Identifying issues and developing programs (1997 to 2003)

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) sent their first survey mission to Hong Kong in March 1997 to identify possibilities for NDI programming in the territory See report here.

This was, followed by thirteen more survey missions to identify opportunities and develop plans for NDI programs in Hong Kong.

1997 First NDI Survey Mission

In March 1997 the first NDI survey mission visited Hong Kong’s, prior to the return to Chinese sovereignty, to assess the political environment and identify possibilities for NDI programming in the territory. From the early discussions they had, the NDI planned two programs, ‘Monitoring the Development of an Election Framework’ and ‘Working with Local Elected Officials’. The rationale for these programs included

“A program that monitors the development of an election framework will also help inform the strategy of pro-democracy activists with respect to election issues”;

and

“As local elected officials and political organizations gain political sophistication and confidence, they become more effective at developing and articulating policies that empower the public and provide alternative, democratic centers of political power”.

See report here

1999 NED grant to support democracy activists

To develop and expand on these initial programs, in 1999, the NED allocated US$$67,164 in US Government funds to the NDI in Hong Kong to support democracy activists as they define their role in the new political system in Hong Kong that limits opportunities for public input into the policy-making process. The program will offer consultations to political parties competing for seats on directly elected local governments, and conduct a training program on grassroots organizing and volunteer recruitment.

2002 NDI encounters low desire for democracy in Hong Kong

One of the problems the NDI encountered in 2002 was that:

“By all accounts … democracy rates relatively low on people’s list of concerns”

Despite this, the NDI unilaterally decided:

“Hong Kong citizens have the right to democracy regardless of where they might rank it in their list of priorities”

The focus of future NDI programs in Hong Kong would be on addressing this issue. In addition, and perhaps identifying the true reason why the NDI targeted Hong Kong:

“Where Hong Kong has led with the example of its success under one of the finest rule of law regimes in Asia, it could similarly serve to assure the mainland of the value of a fully democratic system”

See report here

2003 NED grant to train Hong Kong Political Parties

By 2003, the focus of NDI programs had switched from ‘Local Elected Officials’ to ‘Political Parties’. In 2003, the NED allocated US$$179,999 in US Government funds to the NDI in Hong Kong to provide technical assistance and training to Hong Kong political parties to strengthen the role of parties in Hong Kong, and to support pro-democracy civil society organizations in their efforts to draw attention to the deterioration of political rights in the territory. 

Developing Political Parties program 

All of this groundwork paved the way for NDI to partner with the Centre for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the University of Hong Kong to implement the NDI’s Developing Political Parties program. Details of this program are contained in the following posts.