Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong Pleads Guilty Under National Security Law

HONG KONG — Joshua Wong, a key figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, admitted guilt on Wednesday to a charge of conspiracy to collude with foreign entities to threaten national security. This comes under a law imposed by Beijing that has largely crushed the territory’s previously vibrant democratic efforts.

This marks Wong’s second prosecution under the national security law, implemented in 2020 to suppress extensive anti-government protests from the previous year. Wong, once a prominent student leader in the pro-democracy movement, has become one of its most notable representatives.

Wong, seen wearing a blue shirt and appearing slimmer, entered the courtroom to submit his plea. The sentencing is expected later, with potential penalties ranging from three to ten years in prison, or possibly life imprisonment if the crime is considered severe. Usually, a guilty plea might result in a lesser sentence.

Prior to this, Wong was serving a four-year and eight-month prison sentence after pleading guilty in a different national security case related to an unofficial political primary. He was originally set for release next January, before the arrest concerning the collusion charge took place in June 2025.

Critics argue that Wong’s prosecution demonstrates authorities’ intention to suppress prominent dissidents, thereby intimidating civic activism. In Beijing’s view, Wong represents anti-China sentiments, advocating for Hong Kong’s independence, which is intolerable for the authorities.

The allegations state that Wong collaborated with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to urge foreign countries and entities to impose sanctions or engage in hostile actions against Hong Kong and China between July 1 and November 23, 2020. Prosecutors highlighted Wong’s promotion of Law’s petition on Facebook after the security law’s enforcement, urging digital forensic firms to cease collaborating with police. Subsequently, one firm ceased selling digital intelligence products to Hong Kong and China.

The prosecution claimed Wong and Law had previously agreed to seek international support for democratic self-determination, even before the national security law was enacted. After the law took effect, Law and others continued campaigning abroad, while Wong assisted from within Hong Kong via foreign media and social platforms, sharing Law’s posts to facilitate international sanctions or blockades.

Visual accounts of Wong being escorted to court in 2021 show him being taken from prison. Prosecutors added that Wong acknowledged his role in halting forensic software supplies to police and warned foreign firms about cooperating with the Chinese government.

Outside the hearing, a supporter showed encouragement to Wong by shouting, “Hang in there.” His friend Louis Lee indicated that Wong was engaging in activities such as reading, studying, learning guitar, and exercising while imprisoned. Lee expressed a desire to reunite with Wong outside prison soon. “I believe he and I, and friends outside, will continue our efforts in our respective areas,” Lee added.

Joshua Wong’s activism dates back to 2012, when he led protests as a high school student against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools. He gained significant attention later as a student leader during the 2014 Occupy Movement.

In 2016, Wong co-established a political party called Demosisto, alongside young activists like Nathan Law, who became Hong Kong’s youngest legislator. Wong’s efforts during the 2019 demonstrations aimed to garner international support for democracy, notably reaching out to the U.S. However, Beijing condemned the actions, accusing him of soliciting foreign interference.

Following the 2020 enactment of the security law, Demosisto disbanded, per authorities’ claim of necessity for maintaining the city’s stability. Several prominent activists have faced imprisonment under the same law, including former media mogul Jimmy Lai. Some activists have since fled to democratic nations like the U.S. and the U.K.

Hong Kong officials have also announced rewards amounting to 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) for information leading to Nathan Law and other overseas-based activists’ arrests.