Hong Kong's High Court sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison for conspiring to collude with foreign forces. The United States and other governments condemned the sentence and called for his release.
Hong Kong's High Court sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison on November 5, 2026, after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law. Wong, 30, has been in custody since November 2020 and was due to be released in January 2027.
The court sentenced Wong under the National Security Law for "conspiring to collude with foreign forces." The authorities accused him of conspiring with the activist Nathan Law and other "unknown" individuals between 2016 and November 2020 to urge foreign governments to sanction Hong Kong and Chinese government officials as they advocated for Hong Kong's "democratic self-determination."
High Court Judge William Tam described Wong's actions as "grave in nature." Tam said he considered a 13-year prison sentence as a starting point but reduced it to 10 because of Wong's guilty plea and mitigation. The sentence will run concurrently with the remaining term of his previous national security offence.
Wong is already serving a prison term of four years and eight months, imposed in November 2024, for conspiracy to commit subversion for his role in an unofficial primary election. He has spent nearly six years in detention.
The United States consulate in Hong Kong said in a statement that it "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.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday the U.S. "strongly condemns the Hong Kong Court’s decision to once again sentence Joshua Wong for exercising his freedom of speech. He has used peaceful means to defend the rights promised to all individuals in Hong Kong." Rubio called "for his immediate release and that of all unjustly detained persons."
In a separate joint statement, nine other countries joined the U.S. in calling for an "immediate end to all unjust prosecutions of individuals" charged under the NSL imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong. The governments of the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UK said in a statement on the sentencing of Wong and recent convictions of other pro-democracy leaders in the city.
The ten countries call for "an immediate end to all unjust prosecutions of individuals charged under the NSL and urge the authorities in China and Hong Kong to uphold their international commitments and honor the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984)."
Human Rights Watch denounced the sentence. "The harsh sentence on baseless charges against Joshua Wong is cruel and unjust," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Young people promoting social change are an asset for any vibrant society, but the Hong Kong government puts them behind bars."
Amnesty International's deputy regional director, Sarah Brooks, said: "Today’s sentence is 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."
Shortly afterwards, 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," the foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, told reporters.
Wong is the only activist in Hong Kong prosecuted twice under the National Security Law. The sentence extends his imprisonment until late 2036, when he will be 40. Rights groups and foreign governments say the case shows how the National Security Law is being used to target individuals for political expression and participation.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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