Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to association with foreign entities
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, 29, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a national security allegation of collusion with foreign entities, an offence that carries a potential life sentence. Several Western diplomats were present at the hearing.Wong rose to international prominence as a teenage pro-democracy activist, part of a generation of young protesters whose activism has since been effectively criminalised under the sweeping National Security Law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020.According to a charge sheet seen by Reuters, prosecutors accused Wong of conspiring with exiled activist Nathan Law and others to solicit foreign countries, institutions, organisations, or individuals to impose sanctions or blockades against Hong Kong and China. The alleged conduct occurred between July 1 and November 23, 2020. Wong was arrested on these charges in June 2025, the second time he has faced prosecution under the National Security Law.During the hearing, prosecutors emphasised an alleged international media and political campaign led by Demosisto, a now-disbanded political party Wong once led, that had advocated for a referendum on Hong Kong’s sovereignty. The campaign reportedly sought sanctions against Hong Kong and China in 2019 and 2020.Wong is currently serving a sentence from an earlier national security conviction, conspiracy to commit subversion, stemming from his participation in an unofficial 2020 primary election among democratic activists. That sentence is due to end next year.The National Security Law was enacted on June 30, 2020, partly in response to the often-violent pro-democracy protests that engulfed Hong Kong in 2019.International human rights organisations and Western governments have criticised the law as excessive, arguing it undermines the high degree of autonomy promised to Hong Kong after its 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule.Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, however, maintain the law was necessary to restore stability.
