Youngspiration aims to be 'third power' in Hong Kong politics

A new group formed by former Occupy Central protesters says it aims to become a "third power" in Hong Kong politics - outside the pro-establishment and anti-government camps.

Youngspiration said Hong Kong, "as a self-governing city", had reached a critical moment of life and death, and a new political force was needed to break the impasse.

The group said it would focus on local issues, emphasising policies that were a priority for Hongkongers. It will put its popularity to the test by fielding at least eight candidates in this year's district council elections.

It also said it was not aiming to target the pan-democratic camp as rivals and it would not be part of the so-called coordination system within the camp aimed at preventing pan-democrat candidates from running against each other.

Convenor Baggio Leung Chung-heng, 28, said: "There are differences between us and the pan-democrats. But we do not aim to compete with them. We did not form Youngspiration to target the pan-democrats.

"We hope to create a third power in Hong Kong, breaking the present situation that is dominated by the forever-pro-government and forever-anti-government camps."

Spokesman Donald Chow Sai-kit, 23, said: "As a self-governing city with exceptional international standing, Hong Kong has reached a critical moment of life and death.