.gif)
The Frontier (Hong Kong)
Encyclopedia
The Frontier was a relatively radical
pro-democracy
political group in the Hong Kong
. It was established on 26 August 1996. The group was headed by former convenor Emily Lau Wai-hing since its establishment as a loose group of individual pro-democracy activists.
On 23 November 2008, the Frontier declared that it would merge with the Hong Kong Democratic Party, another party in the pro-democracy camp, but the motion to have it disbanded was not passed, because the 80% hurdle required for disband was not met. The party was established again on 9 September 2010 by the former members who opposed to join the Democratic Party. Yang Sun Kong is the incumbent convenor since the reestablishment. The new party is closely aligned with People Power
.
by 2007/8, more human rights
and rule of law
, and demands the right to draft Hong Kong's own constitution
.
Among the pro-democracy political parties, The Frontier has adopted a relatively radical anti-Beijing and anti-government stance on political issues. It called for immediate universal suffrage since the establishment of the HKSAR, by means of redrafting the Basic Law
, the mini-constitution of Hong Kong (the Basic Law guaranteed universal suffrage but imposed constraints on the timetable). It also launched campaigns to demand then Chief Executive of Hong Kong
, Tung Chee-hwa, to step down. There were allegations that the party's co-founder, Emily Lau Wai-hing
, supported Taiwan independence
, but was forced to back down from making her stance the official party one. However, she explained that she only respected the will of Taiwanese people.
On the economics front, the group has been pressing for an introduction of antitrust
laws in Hong Kong; on livelihood issues, the group adopted a left-wing, socialist stance. They demand better labour protection, such as legislating for minimum wages and maximum working hours, and advocated unemployment protection. They also demand better social welfare and a reduction of rents in public housing estates
.
and 2000 Legislative Council (LegCo)
elections, members of The Frontier won five seats in the geographical constituencies (some of them run under the banner of other groups):
In April 2002, a number of more radical former members ("Young Turks") of the Democratic Party
(DP), who had earlier formed a group called the Social Democratic Forum (SDF), left the DP to join the Frontier.
Cyd Ho lost in the 2004 LegCo elections. This was believed to be caused by a tactical mistake by the democratic camp. As a result, they won only one seat in the Legislative Council in 2004, occupied by Emily Lau.
Political radicalism
The term political radicalism denotes political principles focused on altering social structures through revolutionary means and changing value systems in fundamental ways...
pro-democracy
Pro-democracy camp
Pro-democracy camp, pan-democracy camp or pan-democrats refer to the politicians and social activists in Hong Kong who support increased democracy and may work together in areas of common interest or by not fielding candidates against one another in elections.Democratic activists are usually...
political group in the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It was established on 26 August 1996. The group was headed by former convenor Emily Lau Wai-hing since its establishment as a loose group of individual pro-democracy activists.
On 23 November 2008, the Frontier declared that it would merge with the Hong Kong Democratic Party, another party in the pro-democracy camp, but the motion to have it disbanded was not passed, because the 80% hurdle required for disband was not met. The party was established again on 9 September 2010 by the former members who opposed to join the Democratic Party. Yang Sun Kong is the incumbent convenor since the reestablishment. The new party is closely aligned with People Power
People Power (Hong Kong)
People Power , is a political coalition in Hong Kong, taking a radical democratic position. It was established in early 2011 after Raymond Wong and Albert Chan quit the League of Social Democrats, citing disagreement with leader Andrew To and his faction...
.
Party Beliefs
The main platform of The Frontier calls for universal suffrageUniversal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
by 2007/8, more human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
, and demands the right to draft Hong Kong's own constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
.
Among the pro-democracy political parties, The Frontier has adopted a relatively radical anti-Beijing and anti-government stance on political issues. It called for immediate universal suffrage since the establishment of the HKSAR, by means of redrafting the Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
, the mini-constitution of Hong Kong (the Basic Law guaranteed universal suffrage but imposed constraints on the timetable). It also launched campaigns to demand then Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
, Tung Chee-hwa, to step down. There were allegations that the party's co-founder, Emily Lau Wai-hing
Emily Lau
Emily Lau Wai-hing JP is one of two vice-chairmen of Democratic Party.She was the convenor of The Frontier...
, supported Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
, but was forced to back down from making her stance the official party one. However, she explained that she only respected the will of Taiwanese people.
On the economics front, the group has been pressing for an introduction of antitrust
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
laws in Hong Kong; on livelihood issues, the group adopted a left-wing, socialist stance. They demand better labour protection, such as legislating for minimum wages and maximum working hours, and advocated unemployment protection. They also demand better social welfare and a reduction of rents in public housing estates
Public housing in Hong Kong
Public housing in Hong Kong is a set of mass housing programmes through which the Government of Hong Kong provides affordable housing for lower-income residents. It is a major component of housing in Hong Kong, with nearly half of the population now residing in some form of public housing...
.
Founding members
Founders of the group include:- Emily LauEmily LauEmily Lau Wai-hing JP is one of two vice-chairmen of Democratic Party.She was the convenor of The Frontier...
(joined Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (Hong Kong)The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
in 2008) - Cyd Ho Sau-lanCyd HoCyd Ho Sau-lan is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Island constituency.Cyd Ho is a founding member of The Frontier, a pro-democracy political group, and since 2006, founding councillor of the World Future Council....
(withdrawn) - Lee Cheuk-yanLee Cheuk YanLee Cheuk-yan is the member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong representing the New Territories West constituency. He is also General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, and the chairman of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in...
- Leung Yiu-chungLeung Yiu ChungLeung Yiu Chung . He is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong since 1995, except for a period between 1997 and 1998. Since 1998 he represents the...
- Lau Chin-shekLau Chin ShekLau Chin-shek is the President of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and a vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee. He was born in Guangzhou and had a secondary school education...
(withdrawn) - Elizabeth "Libby" WongElizabeth WongElizabeth "Libby" Wong Chien Chi-lien, CBE, ISO, JP is a former civil servant and politician from Hong Kong, born in Shanghai, China. Wong holds New Zealand citizenship, and is currently residing in Sydney, Australia. She is now a popular fiction writer...
(withdrawn)
Elections
In both the 1998Hong Kong legislative election, 1998
The 1998 Hong Kong legislative election for members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong was held on 24 May 1998. The elections returned 20 members from directly elected geographical constituencies and 30 members from functional constituencies, of which 10 were uncontested.-Geographical...
and 2000 Legislative Council (LegCo)
Hong Kong legislative election, 2000
The 2000 Hong Kong legislative election for members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong was held on 10 September 2000. The elections returned 24 members from directly elected geographical constituencies and 30 members from functional constituencies,of which 9 uncontested.-General...
elections, members of The Frontier won five seats in the geographical constituencies (some of them run under the banner of other groups):
- Emily Lau Wai-hing
- Cyd Ho Sau-lan
- Lee Cheuk-yan (also Hong Kong Confederation of Trade UnionsHong Kong Confederation of Trade UnionsThe Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions is a pro-democracy labour and political group in the Hong Kong. It was established in 1990...
(HKCTU)) - Leung Yiu-chung (also Neighbourhood and Workers Service Centre (NWSC))
- Lau Chin-shek (also HKCTU)
In April 2002, a number of more radical former members ("Young Turks") of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Hong Kong)
The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
(DP), who had earlier formed a group called the Social Democratic Forum (SDF), left the DP to join the Frontier.
Cyd Ho lost in the 2004 LegCo elections. This was believed to be caused by a tactical mistake by the democratic camp. As a result, they won only one seat in the Legislative Council in 2004, occupied by Emily Lau.