Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to “foreign collusion,” marking his second conviction under the national security law that critics argue has been used to suppress political opposition in the city.
Wong, who rose to prominence as the teenage face of Hong Kong’s 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations, entered his guilty plea in September. He was accused of collaborating with exiled activist Nathan Law to urge foreign governments to impose sanctions, blockades, or other hostile measures against China.
In his ruling on Thursday, High Court Judge William Tam described the nature of Wong’s actions as “grave.”
The judge stated that Wong had traveled to the United States to seek foreign interference prior to the national security law’s implementation in 2020, and continued to share social media posts by Law calling for sanctions after the law took effect.
According to the judgment, Wong’s role was to “supply his underground support” and “arouse the attention of foreign countries to bolster the cause,” actions the judge characterized as part of a “scheme” to collude with foreign governments.
Tam ruled that the new sentence would run concurrently with the remaining term of Wong’s previous national security conviction.
Following the ruling, Law issued a statement calling it “incredibly sad to see my friend Joshua Wong suffer another sentencing over his peaceful advocacy work for Hong Kong’s democracy.” He added that the sentence signals Beijing’s determination to “quash any hopes for freedom and democracy on its soil.”
Amnesty International’s deputy regional director, Sarah Brooks, said the sentence serves as “another grim reminder of how Hong Kong’s national security law has become a tool to punish dissent rather than to genuinely protect national security.”
Wong appeared in court wearing a dark blue shirt and thick-rimmed spectacles, nodding and bowing as supporters waved. Dozens of people queued outside the courthouse amid a heavy police presence, while a group of international diplomats observed the proceedings.
The former student leader is already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence imposed in November 2024 for conspiracy to commit subversion related to his role in an unofficial primary election. He has spent nearly six years in detention and had been scheduled for release in January 2027.
The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong “strongly condemns” the additional sentence and called for Wong’s immediate release. “Wong has been unjustly imprisoned since December 2020, demonstrating that Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong,” a consular spokesperson said.
Shortly after, China warned against “irresponsible” remarks on Hong Kong’s judicial affairs. “Relevant parties should earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, respect Hong Kong’s legal system, stop making irresponsible remarks regarding the trial of judicial cases,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters.
Wong, 30, gained international attention during the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, which paralyzed the city’s financial district and galvanized a generation of young people. In October 2014, he appeared on the cover of Time magazine under the headline: “The Face of Protest.”
When protests erupted in 2019 over a proposed extradition bill, Wong was serving a prison sentence for his role in the 2014 demonstrations. He was released at the height of the unrest and immediately rejoined the movement.
The following year, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law it said was necessary to restore stability to the former British colony, though critics contend it has been used to target political opposition, dissolve civil society groups, and silence independent media.
Wong remains the only activist in Hong Kong to be prosecuted twice under the legislation.
