Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his second conviction under a Beijing-imposed national security law. Wong, 30, was charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and pleaded guilty to the offense in September. His sentencing reflects the crackdown on Hong Kong's once-thriving pro-democracy movement. Wong is already serving a four-year, eight-month prison term for the city's biggest national security case.
Wong's offense was considered grave by Judge William Tam, who rejected the notion that Wong's role was limited. The judge initially considered a 13-year prison sentence but reduced it due to Wong's guilty plea. Wong looked calm and thanked his supporters before leaving the court, while his supporters, including Tiffany Chin, a former member of the now-disbanded Scholarism, showed emotional reactions. The judge allowed Wong to serve his two prison sentences concurrently.
Wong's convictions have been seen as discouraging dissent in Hong Kong, which once had a freewheeling civil society marked by its vibrant protest and media scenes. After an anti-government movement rocked the city in 2019, authorities reduced public choice in elections and arrested many leading activists. Some news outlets known for their critical reports shut down, and dozens of civil society groups dissolved.
Observers say Wong's sentencing shows the authorities' determination to keep prominent activists in prison for as long as possible, further chilling civic activism. Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law, noted that national security law charges can be repeatedly used to keep a specific political prisoner in jail if the government deems it necessary. Beijing views Wong as an anti-China figure supporting Hong Kong independence.
The prosecution highlighted Wong's lobbying and advocacy efforts, including his meetings with U.S. politicians like Nancy Pelosi and Marco Rubio in 2016 and 2019. Wong and fellow activist Nathan Law had agreed to lobby internationally to achieve their goal of democratic self-determination. Wong supported the effort from Hong Kong through foreign media outlets and social media to draw foreign countries' attention.
Wong's lawyer, Derek Chan, urged the court to impose a sentence that would give his client some hope, adding that Wong wishes to take care of his parents after his release. Wong's friends described him as someone who kept reading books and exercising, teaching himself guitar while maturing in his thinking during his nearly six years in prison.
Wong's influence appears to have remained a concern for the pro-Beijing camp, with a recent documentary about him on Netflix being criticized for "beautifying" his crimes. Despite being held behind bars, Wong is seen as a political star representing a younger generation born in the final years of Hong Kong's British colonial rule. His sentencing has sparked concerns about the city's dwindling civic activism and freedoms.
Key points
- Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security.
- Wong's sentencing reflects the crackdown on Hong Kong's once-thriving pro-democracy movement.
- Authorities' determination to keep prominent activists in prison for as long as possible, further chilling civic activism.
