Tong resigns in disillusion over 'Pyrrhic victory'

An electronic display shows the results of a vote of a government-backed reform package during a session in the main chamber of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, June 18, 2015. [Photo/IC]

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

Personal as it is, Tong's resignation may herald a bigger split even confrontation within the "opposition camp" in Hong Kong. The truth is that the opposition which is against the SAR government's electoral reform plan have only gained a "tragic victory". What they have lost or will lose in the aftermath will far outweigh their pathetic "victory", and in particular, the foreseeable regrets of denying the SAR universal suffrage will haunt them for many years to come.

Ta Kung Pao newspaper, June 23

Hong Kong is not an independent political entity. It should recognize the "One Country, Two Systems". In other words, the local parties are obliged to develop constructive relations, not groundless disagreements, with the central government. They are allowed to seek greater political influence only under the framework of the Basic Law and China's Constitution. But what is done is done, all people in the SAR, the "opposition camp" included, should put more efforts into improving local citizens' well-being.

Global Times, June 23