Hong Kong judge William Tam on Thursday sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison for collusion with foreign powers, describing his actions as "grave in nature" and ordering that only two months and two days of the new term be served concurrently with his existing sentence for subversion.
In his ruling, Judge Tam said Wong had visited the United States to seek foreign interference before the national security law was introduced in 2020 and continued to share posts on social media by exiled activist Nathan Law calling for sanctions. His role, the judge said, was to "supply his underground support" and "arouse the attention of foreign countries to bolster the cause", as part of a scheme to collude with foreign governments.
Wong appeared in court wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, khaki trousers and black-rimmed glasses. He nodded and bowed as supporters waved, and took notes as the judge read out the reasons for sentencing. Dozens of people had queued outside the court building for a seat in the public gallery amid a heavy police presence, and a group of international diplomats attended the hearing.
Reactions to the sentencing were reported. Wong's friend and fellow activist Frances Hui, now based in the United States, told the BBC she was “heartbroken” and “outraged”. “Today's sentencing is not just about Joshua. It is part of a broader political crackdown that seeks to rewrite a chapter of Hong Kong's history and erase the contributions of an entire generation who believed they could shape the future of their city,” she said.
Nathan Law, who is in exile, said in a statement: "It's incredibly sad to see my friend Joshua Wong suffer another sentencing over his peaceful advocacy work for Hong Kong's democracy. The signal the sentencing sent to the world is that [China] is determined to quash any hopes for freedom and democracy on its soil."
Human Rights Watch described the ruling as "cruel and unjust", and its Asia director, Elaine Pearson, said the government appeared to be stacking charges against influential pro-democracy leaders. Amnesty International's deputy regional director, Sarah Brooks, said the sentence was "another grim reminder of how Hong Kong's national security law has become a tool to punish dissent rather than to genuinely protect national security".
Joshua Wong, 30, is the only activist in Hong Kong to be prosecuted twice under the national security law. He is already serving a sentence of four years and eight months for conspiracy to commit subversion imposed in November 2024, and had been due for release in January 2027. With the new 10-year term, he will now spend another decade behind bars, with only two months and two days of the sentence to be served concurrently with his current term.
The former student leader rose to prominence during the 2014 Umbrella protests and was once described as the face of Hong Kong's democracy movement. The national security law, introduced by Beijing in 2020, has been used to arrest hundreds of campaigners and ordinary Hongkongers. Critics argue it has silenced dissent, while authorities say it is necessary to maintain stability and deny it has weakened the city's autonomy.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The double prosecution under the national security law sets a precedent that could be applied to other detained activists.
- Wong's lengthy incarceration effectively removes a key figure from Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
- The case underscores the ongoing erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong since the law's introduction.
Background
Hong Kong's national security law was enacted in 2020 following pro-democracy protests that Beijing said threatened stability. Critics say it has been used to silence opposition, dissolve civil society groups and stifle independent media. Joshua Wong, 30, became the face of the protest movement when he helped organise the 2014 Umbrella protests while still a teenager. He co-founded the student group Scholarism and later the Demosisto political party. He has been imprisoned multiple times for his activism. In 2024 he was sentenced to four years and eight months for subversion, part of the mass prosecution known as the "Hong Kong 47". Last year he was charged again with collusion, to which he pleaded guilty in September.
Key Perspectives
Judge William Tam: described Wong's actions as "grave in nature", saying he sought foreign interference and used social media to call for sanctions.
Human Rights Watch: called the ruling "cruel and unjust" and said it is part of an effort to keep Hong Kong subdued.
Amnesty International: said the sentence is "another grim reminder of how Hong Kong's national security law has become a tool to punish dissent".
Nathan Law: said it is "incredibly sad" and the sentencing shows Beijing's determination to "quash any hopes for freedom and democracy".
Frances Hui: said she is "heartbroken" and "outraged", calling the verdict part of a "broader political crackdown".
Hong Kong authorities: argue the national security law is needed for stability and deny that it has weakened the city's autonomy.
What to Watch
- Whether Wong's legal team appeals the sentence.
- The international response, including potential sanctions or official statements.
- Whether other prominent activists face similar charges under the national security law.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedJoshua Wong was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s national security law.BBC News: “Joshua Wong, once the face of Hong Kong's democracy movement, has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for colluding with foreign forces under the city's sweeping national security law.”
- SupportedWong was already serving a four-year-and-eight-month sentence for subversion.Just In: “Mr Wong, who is already serving a four-year and eight-month prison term as part of the city's biggest national security case”
- SupportedWong was due for release in January.BBC News: “Wong, who was due to be freed in January”
- SupportedWong pleaded guilty to the collusion charges in September.BBC News: “the latest charges, which he has pleaded guilty to earlier in September.”
- SupportedCritics say Hong Kong’s national security law has silenced dissent.BBC News: “Critics say the far-reaching law has silenced dissent, but authorities argue that it is needed to maintain stability”
- SupportedFrances Hui said she was “heartbroken” and “outraged” by the verdict.BBC News: “Wong's friend and fellow activist Frances Hui, now based in the US, says she is "heartbroken" and "outraged" by the verdict.”
- SupportedHui said, “Today's sentencing is not just about Joshua. It is part of a broader political crackdown that seeks to rewrite a chapter of Hong Kong's history and erase the contributions of an entire generation who believed they could shape the future of their city.”BBC News: “"Today's sentencing is not just about Joshua. It is part of a broader political crackdown that seeks to rewrite a chapter of Hong Kong's history and erase the contributions of an entire generation who believed they could shape”
- SupportedHuman Rights Watch described the ruling as “cruel and unjust.”BBC News: “Human Rights Watch described the ruling as "cruel and unjust".”
- SupportedElaine Pearson said the Hong Kong government appeared to be stacking charges against influential pro-democracy leaders to subdue society and reduce the chance of international outcry.BBC News: “"To keep Hong Kong society subdued, and to reduce the chance of an international outcry, the Hong Kong government appears to have adopted the tactic of stacking charges against influential pro-democracy leaders," said its Asia director Elaine Pearson.”
- SupportedProsecutors said Wong conspired with other campaigners, including Nathan Law, to lobby for foreign sanctions and blockades against Beijing between July and late November 2020.BBC News: “Prosecutors said that Wong had conspired with other campaigners, including self-exiled activist Nathan Law, to lobby for foreign sanctions and blockades against Beijing. These activities took place between July and late November 2020, the court heard.”
- SupportedTwo months and two days of Wong’s 10-year term will run concurrently with his existing sentence.BBC News: “Two months and two days of the 10-year term will be served concurrently with his ongoing sentence, the judge said on Thursday.”
- SupportedThe harshest sentence imposed under the national security law so far is 20 years, given to Jimmy Lai for collusion with foreign forces.BBC News: “The harshest sentence under the controversial national security law (NSL) thus far has been handed to former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was jailed for 20 years , also for colluding with foreign forces.”