Once the international face of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the city’s National Security Law.
The 30-year-old activist, who first rose to prominence during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, has spent nearly six years behind bars for his involvement in the city’s pro-democracy campaigns. He had previously been expected to be released in January 2027, but prosecutors brought fresh charges in 2025 over his international lobbying activities.
Wong pleaded guilty to the latest charge. His sentence means he is now expected to remain in prison until late 2036.
His political journey began as a teenager, eventually leading him to co-found Demosisto in 2016, a political party advocating greater self-determination for Hong Kong. He later became a prominent figure in the mass demonstrations of 2019, which preceded Beijing’s introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020.
The ruling has renewed international attention on Hong Kong’s political and legal landscape. Critics argue that the sweeping legislation has restricted political dissent and civil liberties, while Beijing maintains that it is necessary to safeguard national security and stability.
China’s foreign ministry said it firmly supported Hong Kong in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law, calling on other parties to respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s legal system.
For Wong, the sentence marks another chapter in a political journey that began more than a decade ago. For Hong Kong, it underscores the continuing debate over national security, political freedoms and the city’s autonomy.
