Jailed HK activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has admitted to collaborating with foreign entities, a crime punishable by life imprisonment under China's National Security Law. The 29-year-old, known for his leadership in the 2014 Umbrella Movement and 2019 pro-democracy protests, is currently serving a four-year and eight-month sentence for a separate violation of the same law.

The court has not yet set a sentencing date for the latest charge, which Wong is already serving time for. The accusation alleges that Wong conspired with other activists, including exiled activist Nathan Law, to solicit sanctions or blockades from foreign countries against China. This took place between July 2020 and late November 2020, a period when China had recently enacted the controversial National Security Law.

The law has reportedly created a climate of fear and suppressed dissent in Hong Kong. Both Wong and Law participated in international lobbying efforts, including visits to the US, Germany, and Italy. The prosecutors also charged Wong with promoting the US Human Rights and Democracy Act, a law that imposes sanctions on China and Hong Kong officials accused of human rights abuses.

Despite the allegations, Wong did not deny the charges. About 40 supporters, including fellow activists and close friends, were present in court, some of whom chanted "Hang in there, Joshua!" Wong, dressed in a dark blue shirt and glasses, smiled and nodded in response. His supporters expressed hope for a more lenient sentence, noting that Wong has now spent over 2,000 days in prison.

Fellow activist Louis Lee expressed disappointment that Wong faces another NSL charge while already in prison, but also hoped that others could learn from his resilience.