The Hong Kong Harmony Society, established to serve ethnic minorities and promote racial equality, officially announced its dissolution during a special members' meeting on February 28, 2025. After more than two decades of service, this decision marks the end of its operational run, with board members stating they had achieved their goals and fulfilled their historical mission.
Founded in 2001, the organization became registered as a charity by 2005 and has been instrumental over the years, advocating for policies and activities aimed at ensuring racial equality. Zhuang Minglian, the chairperson of the executive committee, led the meeting, where all but one of the 17 board members voted for their voluntary winding-up process. The meeting lasted approximately ten minutes.
"Two to three years ago, there were discussions internally about the possibility of dissolution," Zhuang noted after the meeting. She explained, "When we started, there were very few organizations exclusively serving the needs of ethnic minorities. Thankfully, over the years, we have seen significant progress, and our mission has largely been accomplished. There are now more than 30 organizations providing services to these communities."
The society will appoint two liquidators to manage any debts or outstanding liabilities. Zhuang confirmed any remaining funds would be donated to organizations similarly focused on advocating for minority rights. The dissolution is reportedly unrelated to the current political atmosphere or economic conditions, as Zhuang emphasized, "There have been no significant challenges faced during our 24 years of operation."
Despite the declared completion of their mission, the announcement has drawn criticism from former members of the Harmony Society, particularly from former chief executive Xie Yongling. He voiced frustration over the lack of consultation with staff and volunteers, who were left unaware of the discussions leading to the organization’s shutdown. He remarked, "Is there really no discrimination against ethnic minorities?" pointing out the urgent need for continued advocacy.
Xie described the quick decision-making process as reckless, noting it was unfortunate for an organization of such long standing to dissolve without more extensive input from those who worked directly within the community. "Just yesterday, we were teaching for six hours, and now today we learn of our dissolution. It is shocking and tragic to see such a rapid conclusion to what we had built," he stated.
Meanwhile, Labor and Welfare Bureau Deputy Secretary He Qiming commented on the matter, expressing uncertainty about the reasons behind the Harmony Society's dissolution. He pointed out there are numerous other organizations still servicing the needs of ethnic minorities within Hong Kong. "It’s important to note, we can’t be knowledgeable about every single group’s situation, especially as this organization wasn't publicly funded. Therefore, we don't routinely engage deeply with their operational decisions," He remarked.
The Harmony Society’s goals included promoting policies for racial equality, advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities, and ensuring their participation within the Hong Kong community, especially concerning education and employment opportunities. One such accomplishment was the passing of the Race Discrimination Ordinance, which took effect in 2009, for which the organization had played a key lobbying role.
While some board members appear satisfied with the society's legacy, others feel it is premature to dissolve such a pivotal voice for minorities. Zhuang noted the organization had reached its intended goals, stating, "With the increased attention from both society and the government on the rights of ethnic minorities, we believe our initial mission has been fulfilled."
Nevertheless, she stressed the continuation of advocacy work is imperative. "Learning Chinese is extremely important for ethnic minorities’ lives and jobs here. I urge both government and educational institutions to keep improving on resolving language barriers,” Zhuang added.
Some members plan to continue their advocacy work for minority rights through other means, hoping to build upon the foundations laid by the Harmony Society. Discussion on future projects and initiatives is already underway among concerned former members.
Overall, the dissolution of the Hong Kong Harmony Society resonates with broader themes of societal change and the dynamic role NGOs play within the community. The next steps will be closely watched as the community processes this significant transition.