Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong admitted guilt on Wednesday to a charge of collaborating with foreign forces to jeopardize national security under a law imposed by Beijing, which has effectively suppressed the city’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement. This marked Wong’s second prosecution under the national security law implemented in Hong Kong in 2020 following large anti-government protests in the preceding year.
Appearing in court in a blue shirt and looking slimmer, Wong entered his plea. A supporter encouraged him with “hang in there” before the session. Wong’s friend, Louis Lee, mentioned that Wong engaged in various activities like reading, studying, playing the guitar, and exercising while in prison. Lee expressed hope for Wong’s release soon and emphasized continued efforts by their group outside prison.
Wong’s sentencing is pending and could result in three to 10 years’ imprisonment or even life in severe cases. By pleading guilty, Wong might receive a reduced sentence. He was already serving a sentence of four years and eight months after pleading guilty in a different national security case related to an unofficial political primary.
Critics view Wong’s case as an attempt by authorities to silence outspoken dissidents and deter civic engagement, while Beijing sees him as an anti-China advocate supporting Hong Kong independence, a stance deemed unacceptable. Wong, now 29, faced allegations of colluding with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to urge foreign entities to impose sanctions or hostile actions against Hong Kong or China in 2020.
Wong gained prominence in 2012 as a student leading protests against national education in Hong Kong schools and later as a key figure in the 2014 Occupy Movement. He co-established the political party “Demosisto” in 2016 with other young activists, including Law, who became the city’s youngest legislator that year.
During the leaderless 2019 protests, Wong sought international backing for the democracy movement, drawing criticism from Beijing for allegedly soliciting foreign intervention. Demosisto disbanded when the security law was enforced in 2020, with authorities citing the measure as essential for the city’s stability. Several prominent activists, such as media mogul Jimmy Lai, were also imprisoned under the law, while some fled to democratic nations like the U.S. and the U.K.
Hong Kong authorities offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of Law, now residing in Britain, and other activists based abroad.