Hong Kong Court: Joshua Wong Gets 10-Year Sentence for Collusion

• Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong received an additional 10-year prison sentence for collusion with foreign powers.
• This marks his second conviction under Hong Kong's national security law, extending his incarceration until late 2036.
• The charges stem from his international lobbying efforts, including promoting a U.S. bill for sanctions against Hong Kong and China.
• The sentence was reduced from an initial 13-year starting point due to his guilty plea.
• The United States, Britain, the EU, and Taiwan have condemned the ruling, while Beijing supports Hong Kong's actions.

Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, observed that Wong's treatment signals there is "no scope for turning back to the more relaxed days" that existed before the national security law's enactment, underscoring the severe and expansive application of Hong Kong's National Security Law, particularly regarding 'collusion with foreign powers.'

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has received an additional 10-year prison sentence for the charge of collusion with foreign powers, marking his second conviction under the city's stringent national security law. Wong, now 30 years old, has already spent nearly six years incarcerated and is not slated for release until late 2036. This latest judgment follows his previous sentence of four years and eight months for subversion, which had initially set his release for January.

Authorities in Hong Kong initiated new charges against Wong last June, utilizing the same national security legislation. He was accused of conspiring with various countries and entities to advocate for sanctions against the financial hub and mainland China. While the potential penalty for this offense could have been a life term, the court established a starting point of 13 years, which was subsequently reduced due to his guilty plea. During his court appearance, Wong, dressed in a blue shirt and black glasses, maintained a calm demeanor, acknowledging his supporters with a nod. In a mitigation letter submitted to the court, Wong reflected that his future would not be defined by his past, describing his years in detention as the "most profound lessons" of his life. Following the sentencing, he waved to his supporters, some of whom were visibly emotional and expressed their commitment to await his eventual release.

Wong first gained public recognition during the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests and has experienced intermittent periods of imprisonment since 2017, when he was 19. The accusations of collusion stem from his international lobbying efforts, which authorities claim began as early as 2016. At that time, he actively promoted a bill designed to empower the U.S. president to impose sanctions in response to human rights violations in Hong Kong. His advocacy continued during the 2019 marches, where he participated in a delegation to the United States to lobby for the eventual passage of this bill.

The comprehensive China national security law Hong Kong was imposed by Beijing in 2020, a measure that effectively suppressed dissent, leading to the dissolution of opposition groups and prompting many activists to flee the city. At the time of the law's implementation, Wong publicly vowed to "continue to defend my home — Hong Kong — until they silence me." He was also among dozens of pro-democracy figures who faced subversion charges in 2024, in what constituted Hong Kong’s largest national security trial, though some individuals from that group have since been released. This case, particularly the Joshua Wong 10-year sentence Hong Kong, highlights the expansive reach of the national security law.

The international community has widely condemned the extended sentence handed down to Joshua Wong. The United States asserted that the new ruling demonstrates China's willingness to "go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate for fundamental freedoms" in Hong Kong. Similar condemnations were voiced by Britain, the European Union, Taiwan, and various Western human rights organizations. Conversely, Beijing publicly endorsed Hong Kong's actions, stating its support for "cracking down on acts that endanger national security."

Britain's Foreign Office characterized Wong's sentencing as a "clear example" of how the national security law is being employed to target individuals for their political expression and participation. An EU spokesman expressed dismay over the "exceptionally long prison term," while Taiwan criticized what it termed the "endless political persecution" of Hong Kong activists. The U.N. rights office also conveyed its disturbance regarding the "continued imposition of harsh penalties" under the national security law, noting the "sustained suppression of civic space" within the territory. Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, observed that Wong's treatment signals there is "no scope for turning back to the more relaxed days" that existed before the national security law's enactment, underscoring the severe and expansive application of Hong Kong's National Security Law, particularly regarding 'collusion with foreign powers.'

This case underscores the severe and expansive application of Hong Kong's National Security Law, particularly regarding 'collusion with foreign powers.' Lawyers advising clients with operations or personnel in Hong Kong must meticulously review all international engagements and advocacy efforts to mitigate risks of prosecution under this law, which carries lengthy prison sentences.

Source: Original reporting via AFP and AP dispatches