Joshua Wong, a prominent figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces. The sentencing follows a guilty plea entered by Wong in September for charges brought under the city's national security law, which was implemented in 2020.
The court heard on Thursday that Wong conspired with other campaigners, including self-exiled activist Nathan Law, to lobby for blockades and foreign sanctions against Beijing. These activities occurred between July and late November 2020. Wong and Law were previously co-founders of the now-defunct political party Demosisto.
The judge stated that two months and two days of the 10-year term will be served concurrently with Wong's ongoing sentence. Wong had already spent the last six years in prison and was scheduled to be released in January of next year before the new charges were handed down.
Wong appeared in court on Thursday wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, khaki trousers, and black-rimmed glasses. He appeared slimmer than in previous public appearances and took notes as the judge delivered the sentencing. A large crowd gathered outside the court, with many people waiting for hours to enter the public gallery.
Activists and human rights groups have reacted strongly to the verdict. Frances Hui, a friend of Wong now living in the US, described herself as "heartbroken" and "outraged," stating that the sentencing is part of a "broader political crackdown" intended to "rewrite a chapter of Hong Kong's history." Human Rights Watch called the ruling "cruel and unjust," with Asia director Elaine Pearson suggesting the government is "stacking charges" against leaders to keep society subdued.
Wong's history of activism began as a teenager. In 2011, at age 14, he co-founded the student activist group Scholarism. By 2014, he became a recognizable face of the "Umbrella Movement." Although he co-founded Demosisto in 2016, he told the Financial Times in 2019 that he viewed himself as a facilitator rather than a "protest leader," describing the movement as a "bottom-up command hub."
Following the introduction of the national security law in 2020, Wong's legal troubles intensified. He pleaded guilty to protest-related charges in November 2020 and was later among the Hong Kong 47 charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in February 2021. While still serving that sentence, he was charged with collusion last year. Wong tried to run for a seat in the legislature but was barred, with authorities citing his opposition to the NSL as one of the reasons.
