Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty on Wednesday to foreign collusion, according to AFP journalists in court. This is a second national security trial against Wong that could result in a life sentence. He is accused of asking foreign entities to impose sanctions, blockades, or engage in hostile activities against Hong Kong and China in 2020, following Beijing's imposition of a national security law on the city.

Wong, a well-known figure in Hong Kong's now-defunct democracy movement, is already serving a nearly five-year sentence for subversion and was set to be released next year. Rights groups claim the new charges, which could see Wong imprisoned for life, are intended to keep him in jail for as long as possible. Wong appeared in the courtroom dock as the charges were read, confirmed his guilty plea, and smiled and nodded in gratitude after a supporter in the public gallery shouted, "hang in there!"

Prosecutors stated that Wong and other activists had been lobbying through social media to gain attention and support.