Hong Kong’s prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong admitted guilt on Wednesday to charges of conspiring with foreign entities to jeopardize national security, as per a law imposed by Beijing that has effectively subdued the city’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement.
This marks Wong’s second prosecution under the national security law introduced in Hong Kong in 2020 to quash the massive anti-government protests that had gripped the city the previous year. Donning a blue shirt, Wong appeared visibly thinner as he entered his plea.
A supporter encouraged Wong with a shout of “hang in there” before the hearing. Wong’s friend, Louis Lee, mentioned that Wong had been engaging in various activities like reading, studying, playing the guitar, and exercising while in prison. Lee expressed his hope for Wong’s swift release from prison and emphasized their commitment to continuing their efforts in their respective fields.
Wong is anticipated to receive his sentencing at a later date. The offense carries a prison term ranging from three to 10 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment if deemed “of a grave nature.” Typically, pleading guilty could lead to a reduced sentence.
Before facing the current collusion-related charge in June 2025, Wong had been on track for release next January, having already been serving a sentence of four years and eight months following a guilty plea in a different national security case tied to an unofficial political primary.
Critics argue that Wong’s case underscores the authorities’ efforts to suppress prominent dissenters, thereby stifling civic activism. Beijing views Wong as an anti-China figure advocating for Hong Kong independence, a stance that crosses red lines for the authorities.
The 29-year-old Wong stands accused of conspiring with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to solicit foreign entities to impose sanctions, blockades, or other hostile actions against Hong Kong or China between July 1 and November 23, 2020. Wong gained prominence in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools, subsequently becoming a key figure in the 2014 Occupy Movement.
In 2016, Wong co-founded the political party “Demosisto” with other young activists, including Law, who became the city’s youngest lawmaker the same year. During the leaderless 2019 protests, Wong sought international support for the democracy movement, drawing criticism from Beijing for allegedly seeking foreign interference.
Demosisto disbanded when Beijing implemented the security law in 2020, citing the need for the city’s stability. Several other prominent activists, such as former media mogul Jimmy Lai, were also incarcerated under the same law, while some activists sought refuge in democratic nations like the U.S. and the U.K.
Hong Kong authorities have offered rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to the arrests of Law, who relocated to Britain, and other activists based overseas.