Hong Kong activist sentenced to 10 more years in prison

On November 5, Joshua Wong, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison under the city’s national security law. He was already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence for his involvement in an unofficial primary election in 2020. The earlier case involved 47 activists, academics and politicians, 45 of whom were convicted. It is considered the largest national security case in Hong Kong’s history.

Wong’s new sentence stems from a charge of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. Prosecutors accused him of working with foreign actors to seek sanctions and other measures against China and Hong Kong. Wong pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year.

Chinese authorities have portrayed Wong as an anti-China activist and defended the ruling, arguing that national security legislation is necessary to maintain stability. The United States strongly condemned the sentence and called for his immediate release, accusing Beijing of silencing advocates of fundamental freedoms.

References:

Kanis Leung, K. (2026, November 5). Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 more years in prison. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/f4b08dd23bab9912569e5cabd990c1ef

Kanis Leung, K. (2024, November 19). Hong Kong court sentences 45 activists in biggest national security case. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-activists-sentencing-unofficial-primary-1ed13be76fa4918d83f7d3e498f2f543

Tong, I. (2012, July). Joshua Wong Chi-fung [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joshua_Wong_Chi-fung.jpg