Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday, 5 November, after pleading guilty to colluding with foreign entities under the city's national security law.
The 30-year-old activist was accused of conspiring with exiled activist Nathan Law and others to seek international sanctions and other measures against Hong Kong and China.
The alleged activities took place between July and November 2020, following months of anti-government protests.
Wong pleaded guilty in September. His sentencing comes six years after China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong, which Beijing says was necessary to restore stability following widespread unrest in 2019.
“The punishment must fit the gravity of the crime,” High Court Judge William Tam said while delivering the sentence.
Tam said the court needed to reflect the seriousness of actions involving cooperation with foreign forces that could endanger national security.
Although the law does not apply retroactively, the judge said Wong's earlier meetings with U.S. and European politicians provided relevant context.
Prosecutors accused Wong of working with others to encourage foreign governments and organisations to impose sanctions, blockades or other measures against Hong Kong and China.
The prosecution also cited activities by Demosisto, the now-disbanded political party Wong helped lead, which had campaigned internationally for action against Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.
Wong became internationally known through his involvement in Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrations, emerging as one of the movement's most recognisable figures.
His political activities and meetings with Western officials drew criticism from Beijing, which accused him of working with foreign interests.
Wong has been detained since November 2020, when he pleaded guilty to organising and inciting an unauthorised assembly during the 2019 protests.
He had been expected to be released next year before receiving the latest sentence.
At Thursday's hearing, Wong appeared in a blue shirt and dark-framed glasses, accompanied by three guards. He nodded towards the public gallery before the judge announced the ruling.
The case comes amid continuing international scrutiny of Hong Kong's national security framework and its impact on political activity.
Beijing introduced the legislation in June 2020 after months of protests, some of which turned violent. Chinese authorities maintain that the law was necessary to safeguard national security and restore order.
The legislation covers offences including secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Western governments and international human rights organisations have criticised its implementation, arguing that it has restricted political freedoms and weakened Hong Kong's autonomy.
Chinese authorities reject those criticisms and maintain that national security legislation is necessary to protect the city's stability.
Wong's sentence adds to a series of prosecutions involving prominent figures from Hong Kong's former pro-democracy movement, underscoring the continuing political and legal consequences of the 2019 protests.
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