Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday after being convicted for a second time under Beijing-imposed national security legislation.
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Wong → sentence → legislation
The case has drawn criticism from observers who view it as another example of the authorities' crackdown on the city's once-vibrant pro-democracy movement.
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who → draw → movement
Wong was charged in 2025 with conspiring to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security under the legislation.
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Wong → charge → legislation
He pleaded guilty to the charge in September, a step that can generally lead to a reduced sentence.
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that → plead → sentence
The 30-year-old activist is already serving a four-year-and-eight-month prison term in connection with Hong Kong's largest national security case, which stemmed from an unofficial primary election.
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which → serve → election
He had earlier been expected to complete that sentence and walk free in January 2027 before facing the latest prosecution.
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He → expect → prosecution
During Thursday's sentencing hearing, Judge William Tam described Wong's offence as particularly serious and rejected arguments that his involvement had been limited.
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involvement → describe → arguments
The judge said he had initially considered a 13-year prison term but reduced the sentence in view of Wong's guilty plea.
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he → say → plea
Wong appeared composed as he thanked his supporters before leaving the courtroom.
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he → appear → courtroom
Those gathered outside waved to him, while Tiffany Chin, a former member of scholarism, the student group once led by Wong, was seen in tears.
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Chin → gather → tears
The judge also ruled that Wong's two prison sentences could run concurrently.
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sentences → rule → ?
The activist has approximately two months remaining on his earlier sentence for the previous national security conviction.
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activist → have → conviction
Resident ET Wong recalled that Joshua Wong had demonstrated exceptional political awareness even as a teenager, possessing what she described as a level of "big-picture thinking" that many adults lacked.
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adults → recall → that
She said he had taken a difficult path while fighting for Hong Kong's future, human rights and student movement.
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he → say → future
"At least in my heart, he should not have spent a single day in wrongful imprisonment," she said.
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she → spend → imprisonment
Wong's convictions seen as a warning against dissent
Hong Kong was once known for its active civil society, extensive protest movements and vibrant media landscape.
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Kong → see → society
However, following the anti-government demonstrations that swept the city in 2019, authorities introduced changes that limited electoral choices and arrested several prominent activists.
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that → follow → activists
Several media organisations known for their critical coverage of the government subsequently shut down, while dozens of civil society groups also disbanded.
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dozens → know → groups
Observers believe Wong's latest sentence demonstrates the authorities' determination to keep high-profile activists behind bars for extended periods, potentially discouraging further civic and political activism.
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sentence → believe → activism
"NSL charges can be repeatedly weaponized to keep a specific political prisoner in jail, if the government deems necessary," said Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Asian Law, referring to the National Security Law.
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Lai → weaponize → Law
Beijing, however, considers Wong an anti-China figure who supports Hong Kong independence, a position that crosses its political red lines.
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that → consider → lines
Hong Kong authorities have defended the security legislation, arguing that it is essential to maintaining stability following the 2019 unrest.
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it → defend → unrest
They have also maintained that law enforcement measures are based on evidence.
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measures → maintain → evidence
Prosecution focuses on international lobbying efforts
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Prosecution → focus → efforts
During the proceedings, prosecutors alleged that Wong and fellow activist Nathan Law had agreed around 2016 to pursue international lobbying efforts to advance their campaign for democratic self-determination.
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Wong → allege → determination
The prosecution claimed that, even before the national security legislation was introduced, the two activists had called for sanctions and other punitive measures against Hong Kong and mainland China.
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activists → claim → Kong
It cited Wong's meetings with American politicians, including Nancy Pelosi and Marco Rubio, in 2016 and 2019 as part of the evidence presented against him.
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It → cite → him
According to prosecutors, after the security law came into force, Law and other activists continued their international advocacy by meeting foreign political leaders and organising petition campaigns.
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Law → accord → campaigns
Wong allegedly supported these efforts from Hong Kong through interviews with international media organisations and social media campaigns.
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Wong → support → organisations
Prosecutors said his activities were aimed at attracting foreign governments' attention and strengthening demands for sanctions, blockades and other hostile measures against China and Hong Kong.
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activities → say → China
Earlier, Wong's lawyer, Derek Chan, had urged the court to consider a sentence that would allow his client to retain some hope for the future.
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client → urge → future
He also told the court that Wong hoped to look after his parents following his release.
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Wong → tell → release
Friends have said that during nearly six years behind bars, Wong continued reading books, exercising and learning to play the guitar on his own.
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Wong → say → own
They added that the experience had also contributed to his intellectual and personal growth.
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experience → add → growth
For his supporters, Wong remains an influential political figure who represents a younger generation of Hong Kong residents born during the final years of British colonial rule, before the territory was handed back to China in 1997.
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territory → remain → 1997
Wong's influence remains a concern for pro-Beijing camp
Despite spending years in prison, Wong's influence continues to attract attention, particularly among pro-Beijing supporters.
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influence → remain → supporters
In September, a pro-Beijing newspaper criticised a 2017 documentary about the activist available on Netflix, accusing it of portraying his actions in a favourable light and "beautifying" his crimes.
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newspaper → criticise → crimes
Hong Kong's security bureau subsequently informed local media that the government was taking follow-up action over the matter.
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government → inform → matter
However, the controversy appeared to generate further interest in the documentary, which climbed to the top of Netflix's popularity rankings in Hong Kong.
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which → appear → Kong
The Aporia
