THREE pro-China political parties will form a loose coalition, following the merger between the United Democrats and Meeting Point. The three are the veteran Hong Kong Chinese Reform Association, the New Hong Kong Alliance - led by Lo Tak-shing - and the Federation for the Stability of Hong Kong formed by leading Heung Yee Kuk members such as Chan Yat-sun and Lau Wong-fat. Bigger pro-China parties, such as the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, will not be joining. The coalition, called the Joint Conference of Three Associations, will unveil its plans tomorrow. Core members denied the coalition was a merger. Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Reform Association, Choy Wai-hang, said the three were pooling their resources on issues such as the promotion of the Basic Law. Mr Choy, a local delegate to the National People's Congress, said the three had different objectives making it difficult to merge. Chairman of the New Hong Kong Alliance, Wai Kee-shun, said the joint conference was meant to be a platform for the three parties to exchange views. It is understood that the idea of a merger was raised months ago, but failure to compromise on the new leadership stifled the idea. The three agreed on a loose coalition under a secretariat with core members from each party as an initial step. The secretariat is convened by Ho Tung-ching from the Federation for the Stability of Hong Kong. Other members include Ronnie Wong Man-chiu and Lo Man-yuk from the New Hong Kong Alliance; Tso Wung-wai, Tang Hung-por and Mr Choy from the Hong Kong Chinese Reform Association.
