Joshua Wong, the former teenage activist who became a key leader of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, faces the prospect of many more years in prison after he pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the latest national security case brought by prosecutors.
Wong, now 29, was accused of conspiring with fellow activists to invite foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong in 2020 – the year Beijing introduced a national security law which critics say put political freedoms in the city into deep freeze.
Wong is already in prison, serving a sentence of 4 years and 8 months, after pleading guilty in a landmark subversion trial in 2024. His latest case was heard Wednesday in Hong Kong’s High Court, where sentences up to life can be imposed.
Wong and fellow pro-democracy activists have previously been labeled “separatists” by Beijing officials, who imposed the sweeping national security law after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests convulsed the international financial hub in 2019.
The law tightened Beijing’s oversight of Hong Kong, a former British colony, and both governments say it has helped “restore” stability. But rights groups say the law has stifled dissent and made any criticism of the government fraught with risk.
On Wednesday a judge selected by the government to handle national security cases will hear the prosecution outline details of the charge. Wong’s representatives will then respond.
The court is likely to adjourn for sentencing at a later date.
A Hong Kong government spokesperson dismissed international criticism of Wong’s prosecution.
“The lawful exercise of free speech must not be conflated with taking actions to collude with a foreign country to impose ‘sanctions’ to harm one’s own country,” they said.
Security was tight around the court complex with police officers registering and searching dozens of people lining up outside.
Among them was Gloria Cheng, 32, Wong’s friend.
“This is not the first time for him and there were others before him,” she said, referring to prosecutions of other opposition figures.
“It really shows the state of affairs in Hong Kong now.”
With limited seats inside the courtroom, supporters took turns entering, to catch a glimpse of Wong, and left after waving to him to make room for others.
Louis Lee said he had been visiting Wong in jail and said the activist tried to stay positive by studying, working out and learning to play the guitar.
He said Wong was devastated when he learned be had been charged with a national security crime for a second time.
“We are very upset because no one would like to spend another day in prison,” Lee said.
