Prominent figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, Joshua Wong, admitted guilt on Wednesday to a charge of conspiracy to collaborate with foreign entities to jeopardize national security under a law imposed by Beijing. This law effectively suppressed the once-vibrant pro-democracy activities in the city. Wong, a former student leader in the pro-democracy movement and a well-known figure, faced his second prosecution under the national security law implemented in Hong Kong in 2020 to quash extensive anti-government protests from the previous year.
Wearing a blue shirt, Wong appeared visibly thinner as he entered his plea. Prior to the court session, a supporter encouraged Wong with words of support. Wong’s friend, Louis Lee, mentioned that Wong spent his time in prison reading, studying, learning guitar, and exercising, exploring new interests while incarcerated. Lee expressed hope for Wong’s release from prison at the earliest opportunity.
Expected to receive sentencing later, Wong could face a prison term ranging from three to 10 years for the offense, with the possibility of life imprisonment if deemed gravely severe. By pleading guilty, there is a likelihood of a reduced sentence for Wong. He was already serving a sentence of four years and eight months after pleading guilty in a different national security case connected to an unofficial political primary.
Before his arrest in June 2025 for the collusion-related offense, Wong was on track for release in January. Critics argue that Wong’s case exemplifies the government’s efforts to silence prominent dissenters, dampening civic engagement. However, Beijing views Wong as an anti-China advocate who supports Hong Kong’s independence, a stance considered unacceptable by authorities.
At 29 years old, Wong was accused of conspiring with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to urge foreign entities to impose sanctions or hostile actions against Hong Kong or China from July to November 2020. Wong rose to prominence in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against national education in Hong Kong schools. Subsequently, he gained further recognition as a student leader during the 2014 Occupy Movement.
In 2016, Wong co-founded the political party “Demosisto” with other young activists, including Law, who later became the city’s youngest lawmaker in the same year. Wong played a role in seeking international support for the democracy movement during the leaderless 2019 protests, including from the U.S. However, Beijing criticized his actions, accusing him of seeking foreign interference.
Following the imposition of the security law in 2020, Demosisto disbanded as authorities asserted its necessity for the city’s stability. Several other prominent activists were also imprisoned under the same law, such as former media mogul Jimmy Lai. Some activists chose to flee to democratic countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Additionally, Hong Kong authorities offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of Law and other activists based overseas.