New Hong Kong group targets district elections 'to keep spirit of umbrella movement'

A new group formed by Occupy Central activists to target this year's district council election has drawn concern from pan-democratic parties.

The group - to be officially launched in February - is led by Edward Lau Wai-tak, one of the so-called "defence team" who guarded the boundaries of Occupy's base camp in Admiralty during the 79-day sit-in.

Lau, 29, said he would not run for election in November himself, but his group would provide financial and logistical support to young aspirants.

"We want to keep up the spirit of the umbrella movement. Everyone will participate according to their free will and it is independent from political parties," Lau said.

His group of more than 100 volunteers, most of whom took part in Occupy, has been approached by more than 20 people interested in running for seats on some of the 18 district councils. The election is seen as a defining test of public opinion after Occupy. While they have little power, councils are an important arena for parties, partly because six Legislative Council seats are allotted to district councillors.

Lau's group is forming a company so it can set up a bank account which will be used to hold funds for the campaign.