Hong Kong's Democratic Party said late on Thursday it would start preparations to disband and wind up its affairs after a meeting of its leadership, amid a years-long national security crackdown in the China-ruled city.

The leaders of Hong Kong's Democratic Party have announced plans to dissolve what was once the city's largest opposition group. Members will soon vote on the final decision on whether to shut down the 31-year-old party,

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party took an initial step toward dissolving Thursday, in the latest sign of the Chinese territory’s narrowing space for civil society groups following Beijng’s crackdown on dissent.

Hong Kong's Democratic Party said Thursday it is formally dissolving what once was the main political opposition group in the city. A task force has been set up to handle the legal and financial details of dissolution.

A 30-year-old Hong Kong political party that used to lead the city's pro-democracy camp before Beijing cracked down on dissent will start preparations to shut down, its leader said Thursday.

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party said on Thursday that it would begin steps to disband, citing the political situation. The city’s largest opposition group, the Democratic Party marked its 30th anniversary last year.

Hong Kong's Democratic Party is bringing down the curtains after 30 years of being politically active. On Thursday, the leader of the pro-democracy party announced that preparations are underway to shut down the operations.