Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security under a Beijing-imposed law. The charge stems from the national security law introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, which critics argue has stifled the city's pro-democracy movement.
Wong, 29, a former student leader and recognizable face of the movement, appeared thinner as he entered his plea. This marks his second prosecution under the national security law. He is currently serving a sentence of four years and eight months after pleading guilty in a separate national security case related to an unofficial political primary. Wong had been expected to be released in January.
The offense is punishable by a prison term ranging from three to 10 years, or potentially life imprisonment if deemed "of a grave nature." A guilty plea typically allows for a reduced sentence.
Prosecutors allege that Wong and fellow activist Nathan Law agreed years ago to lobby internationally for democratic self-determination. Before the security law, they sought foreign sanctions or blockades against Hong Kong and China. After the law took effect in 2020, Law and others who had left Hong Kong continued their efforts abroad by meeting foreign politicians and launching petitions. Wong supported these efforts from Hong Kong through international media and social media, including sharing Law's posts, to draw foreign attention and "bolster the request for sanctions, blockade or other hostile measures," according to the prosecution.
Prosecutors cited Wong sharing an online petition on Facebook after the security law's implementation, urging digital forensic companies to cease cooperation with the police. Subsequently, one company announced it would stop selling digital intelligence offerings to clients in Hong Kong and China. The prosecution also stated that Wong confirmed in a work report that he had helped end the company's forensic software supply to the police and had warned foreign companies about their collaboration with the Chinese government.
Wong rose to prominence in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools. He was a student leader during the 2014 Occupy Movement. In 2016, Wong co-founded the political party "Demosisto" with other young activists, including Nathan Law.
During the 2019 protests, Wong sought overseas support for the democracy movement, drawing criticism from Beijing, which accused him of soliciting foreign interference. Demosisto disbanded in 2020 after Beijing imposed the national security law, which authorities stated was necessary for the city's stability. Several other prominent activists have also been jailed under the same law, and some have fled to democratic countries. Hong Kong authorities have offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of Law and other overseas-based activists.