Joshua Wong Sentenced to 10 More Years for Foreign Collusion
The 30-year-old activist, who has been incarcerated for nearly six years, received an additional decade in prison under Hong Kong's national security law.
By Aiko Sato ·
A Hong Kong court imposed a final sentence of 10 years' imprisonment on democracy activist Joshua Wong on Thursday. The ruling adds a decade to the time the 30-year-old has already spent behind bars for colluding with foreign powers. A press summary released by the court confirmed the decision. Wong pleaded guilty in September to seeking foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China under Beijing’s national security law.
Wong has been incarcerated for almost six years. He was previously scheduled for release in January after serving four years and eight months for subversion. However, authorities charged him again in June 2025. The new charges accused him of asking other countries and entities to impose sanctions against the finance hub and mainland China. He is the only person in the large group jailed for subversion in 2024 to be charged twice under the security law.
The former student leader rose to international prominence during the 2014 Umbrella Movement. He has faced protest-related prosecutions and time in jail since 2017. Authorities stated that Wong began international lobbying in 2016. He promoted the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a bill that allows the US President to impose sanctions for human rights violations in the city.
In 2019, Wong joined a delegation to the United States to lobby for that bill. The legislation eventually passed. Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong the following year to suppress dissent. This legal shift prompted opposition groups to disband and many activists to flee the territory. Wong stated at the time that he would continue to defend his home until he was silenced.
Wong entered the courtroom on Thursday morning in a blue shirt and black glasses. He appeared calm, nodding to supporters and observing the public and reporters. Dozens of people lined up to attend the hearing. Police deployed heavily outside the court building. After the sentencing, Wong waved and thanked his supporters. They were heard saying, "We'll be waiting for your release."
Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, told AFP that Beijing views Wong as a key leader of the 2019 protests. Tsang noted that Wong is considered a moderate by these standards. He said the sentencing demonstrates that Beijing is maintaining tight control over Hong Kong. Tsang added that there is no scope for returning to the more relaxed days before 2019.
Rights groups have criticized the collusion charge as a deliberate attempt to keep Wong incarcerated. His lawyer argued for a shorter sentence of three to 10 years, citing the time already served. Louis Lee, a friend and former member of the Scholarism student group co-founded by Wong, said Wong remained energetic behind bars. Lee recalled that Wong was sometimes worried and nervous about the outcome. He sighed during prison visits and looked disappointed.
Lee said there were many unknowns regarding the sentence. He noted that Wong has to accept this reality rather than continue to feel down about it. Margaret Chan, a 61-year-old retiree and long-time supporter, described the situation as heartbreaking. She called Wong an outstanding young man who has been exceptional since his youth. Chan said he will be in his middle age by the time he is released.
Some of Wong's co-defendants from the 2024 subversion trial have been released in recent months. Those individuals completed their sentences. Wong's additional decade extends his confinement well beyond the original timeline. The court summary did not specify the exact date of his release. He will remain in custody until the 10-year term is fully served.
The national security law was implemented by Beijing to quash dissent in the territory. It has been used to prosecute dozens of pro-democracy figures. The law allows for severe penalties for offenses including collusion with foreign forces. Wong's case is the most prominent recent application of the collusion provision. His imprisonment spans multiple legal charges and nearly six years of continuous detention.
