Prominent figure in the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, Joshua Wong, admitted guilt on Wednesday to a charge of conspiring with foreign entities to jeopardize national security, as per a law imposed by Beijing that effectively stifled the city’s once-vibrant pro-democracy activism. This marks Wong’s second prosecution under the national security law introduced in 2020 to quell the large anti-government protests that shook the city the year before.
Appearing in court in a blue shirt, Wong looked thinner as he entered his plea. Prior to the hearing, a supporter encouraged him with words of support. Wong’s friend, Louis Lee, mentioned that Wong engaged in activities like reading, studying, playing the guitar, and exercising while in prison, hoping for his swift release.
Wong is awaiting sentencing, with the offense carrying a possible prison term of three to 10 years or even life imprisonment for serious cases. He was already serving a sentence of four years and eight months after pleading guilty in a different national security case linked to an unofficial political primary.
Critics argue that Wong’s case demonstrates authorities’ efforts to silence prominent dissenters and deter civic activism. However, Beijing views Wong as an anti-China advocate who supports Hong Kong independence, which crosses a red line for the authorities.
Accused of colluding with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to solicit foreign intervention against Hong Kong or China, Wong rose to fame in 2012 while still in high school, leading protests against national education in Hong Kong schools. He further gained recognition as a student leader during the 2014 Occupy Movement.
Wong co-established the political party “Demosisto” in 2016 with young activists, including Law, who became the city’s youngest legislator that same year. During the 2019 protests, Wong sought international backing for the democracy movement, drawing criticism from Beijing for allegedly seeking foreign interference.
Amid the enactment of the security law in 2020, Demosisto disbanded. Numerous activists, including media mogul Jimmy Lai, were imprisoned under the law, while some fled to democratic nations like the U.S. and the U.K. Furthermore, Hong Kong authorities offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of Law and other activists residing overseas.