Founded by the liberal faction of the pro-Beijing forces, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong has come a long way since its inception in 1992.
It has become the biggest political party with close to 10,000 members and 12 seats in the Legislative Council. It has promoted itself as a 'party with a future' and embraced the goal of eventually being the ruling party.
With its huge financial resources and strong district network, the DAB's leading role in Hong Kong politics is beyond doubt, with some pundits say it has the most potential to become the ruling party. Manpower and financial resources aside, the DAB has edged out other parties in one significant aspect - its close ties to the mainland authorities.
The flip-side of the Beijing factor and the party's complex mentality towards the mainland authorities, however, has been laid bare in the political storm engulfing the party in the wake of the remarks made by its chairman, Ma Lik, last week.
Mr Ma countered claims that the crackdown in Tiananmen Square was a massacre and that civilians had been flattened by People's Liberation Army tanks. Noting many people still believed in the dubious claims about what happened on June 4, 1989, he said Hong Kong people still lacked a sense of national identity, which he said was an essential condition for universal suffrage.
Coming at a sensitive time in the lead-up to the June 4 anniversary, Mr Ma's insensitive remarks have generated many rumours and much guesswork about the motives behind them.
In view of Beijing's wish for harmony and stability at a time of celebrations over the 10th anniversary of the 1997 handover and inauguration of the next administration, it would seem inconceivable and nonsensical for Mr Ma to kick up the dust deliberately.
