Joshua Wong, once the face of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, was sentenced in Hong Kong on Thursday to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the city's national security law.1,4
The sentence extends his time behind bars by almost a decade just as he was expected to be freed in January after serving a separate term for subversion. Wong pleaded guilty in September to the collusion charge, which accused him of seeking foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China, and he is the only person among dozens convicted in the city's largest national security trial in 2024 to be charged twice under the law.1,4
Wong, who turned 30 last month, entered the courtroom in a blue shirt and black glasses, nodding to supporters and scanning reporters and members of the public. The BBC described him as wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, khaki trousers and black-rimmed glasses and as looking slimmer than in previous appearances. He nodded toward the packed public gallery and took notes as the judge gave reasons for the sentence, then thanked and waved to supporters as he left. A press summary released by the court said, "The court... imposed a final sentence of 10 years' imprisonment."1,4
The judge said two months and two days of the 10-year term would be served concurrently with the sentence Wong is already serving. France 24 said Wong had been expected to be freed in January after serving four years and eight months for subversion. On time already spent in custody, the accounts differed slightly: the BBC said Wong had spent the last six years in jail, while France 24 said he had spent almost six years behind bars.1,4
Prosecutors said Wong conspired with other campaigners, including self-exiled activist Nathan Law, to lobby for foreign sanctions and blockades against Beijing between July and late November 2020. Wong and Law were co-founders of Demosisto, a pro-democracy political party that has since disbanded. Hong Kong authorities charged Wong again in June 2025 under the same national security law imposed in 2020 after pro-democracy protests against Beijing's growing control.1,4
Authorities said Wong's international lobbying began as early as 2016, when he promoted a bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, that would allow the United States president to impose sanctions in response to human rights violations in the city. In 2019, as Hong Kong saw massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests, Wong was part of a delegation to the United States to lobby for the bill, which was eventually passed. At the time, Wong vowed to "continue to defend my home -- Hong Kong -- until they silence me".4
Wong rose to prominence during Hong Kong's 2014 protests known as the Umbrella Movement and has been in and out of jail since 2017 due to protest-related prosecutions. His activism began when he was a teenager. He was among dozens of pro-democracy figures jailed for subversion in 2024. Some of his co-defendants have been released in recent months after completing their sentences. The harshest sentence under the national security law so far was handed to former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was jailed for 20 years, also for colluding with foreign forces. Hundreds of campaigners and ordinary Hongkongers have been arrested under the law.1,4
Critics say the law has silenced dissent, while authorities say it is needed to maintain stability and deny that it has weakened the city's autonomy. Wong's lawyer argued for a shorter sentence of three to 10 years, citing time already served. Dozens of people waited in line for the hearing, while the police deployed heavily outside the court building.1,4
Frances Hui, Wong's friend and fellow activist who is now based in the United States, said she was heartbroken and outraged by the verdict. "Today's sentencing is not just about Joshua. It is part of a broader political crackdown that seeks to rewrite a chapter of Hong Kong's history and erase the contributions of an entire generation who believed they could shape the future of their city," she told the BBC.1
Human Rights Watch described the ruling as "cruel and unjust". "To keep Hong Kong society subdued, and to reduce the chance of an international outcry, the Hong Kong government appears to have adopted the tactic of stacking charges against influential pro-democracy leaders," said its Asia director Elaine Pearson. Rights groups have decried the collusion charge against Wong as a deliberate attempt by authorities to keep him incarcerated.1,4
Louis Lee, a friend who was a member of the now-disbanded Scholarism student group co-founded by Wong, said Wong remained "energetic" behind bars but was sometimes "worried and nervous" about the sentencing, at times looking disappointed and sighing during prison visits. "There are always so many unknowns," Lee said. "But he has to accept this reality, rather than simply continuing to feel down or unhappy because of it."4
Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, told AFP before the sentence that, "[Beijing] has identified Joshua as one of the key leaders of what they see as an open rebellion in 2019 -- despite Wong being one of the moderates -- and he will be made an example of." He added that his sentencing is set to show Beijing "is keeping a tight rein over Hong Kong and there's no scope for turning back to the more relaxed days before 2019". As Wong left, supporters were heard saying, "We'll be waiting for your release."4
Margaret Chan, a 61-year-old retiree and long-time supporter, said, "It is truly heartbreaking. Such an outstanding young man, who has been exceptional since he was in his youth." "But he will be in his middle age by the time he is released," Chan said.4
