Tong resigns in disillusion over 'Pyrrhic victory'

On Monday, Ronny Tong Ka-wah, co-founder of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Civic Party, announced his decision to quit the party, days after the "pan-democrats" veto of the SAR government's electoral reform plan for the chief executive election. In his emotional resignation announcement, Tong expressed deep frustration at his party, which he said has failed to adopt the "moderate and pragmatic" approach as designed nine years ago. Comments:

I did hope the Civic Party could be the first of its kind in Hong Kong that has a relatively positive relationship with the central government in Beijing. But this does not mean we have to stoop to compromise with the central government. Instead, we should strive for democratic governance under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The reality, however, proved that our party has long gone astray from its designed missions. Thus, as much as it hurts, I am afraid it is time for me to step down.

Ronny Tong Ka-wah, June 22