Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong is poised to plead guilty on Wednesday in a national security trial related to foreign collusion allegations. The 29-year-old, a prominent figure from the now-defunct democracy movement, was charged last year for allegedly seeking outside interference in Hong Kong's affairs under the city's national security law imposed by Beijing.

Wong, who is currently serving a nearly five-year sentence for subversion, is set to be released next year. He was convicted alongside dozens of pro-democracy activists during the city's largest national security trial following their participation in informal elections in 2020. Rights groups assert that these new charges, which could result in a life sentence for Wong, are intended to keep him imprisoned for as long as possible.

The charges accuse Wong of asking foreign entities to impose sanctions, blockades, or engage in hostile actions against Hong Kong and China in 2020, as well as conspiring with self-exiled activist Nathan Law and others to disrupt the formulation and implementation of laws or policies in both Hong Kong and China. Wong is scheduled for a "plea and sentencing" hearing on Wednesday at the High Court, with indications that he plans to plead guilty.

Known for his activism since the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, Wong played a significant role in the 2019 democracy rallies that led to the imposition of the national security law. Along with Law and activist Agnes Chow, Wong co-founded the Demosisto party, which advocated for Hong Kong's self-determination before disbanding after the law's implementation.

Despite his current predicament, Wong has previously vowed on Facebook to continue defending Hong Kong until he is silenced and removed from the land.