Hong Kong activist pleads guilty in national security case

Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty to conspiring with foreign forces in a national security case on September 2, according to Hong Kong media.

Wong, 29, could receive a reduced sentence because of his guilty plea. He faces an additional three to 10 years in prison, while the offence can carry a life sentence if the court determines that it was particularly serious. Sentencing is expected at a later date, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The case is the second brought against Wong under Hong Kong’s national security law, which was imposed by China’s central government following the mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Critics have accused authorities of using the law to suppress the city’s pro-democracy movement.

Prosecutors allege that Wong worked with exiled activist Nathan Law and others between July and November 2020 to persuade foreign governments and organisations to impose sanctions, blockades and other measures against Hong Kong and China.

Wong was formally arrested in the case in June 2025 but has remained in prison since 2020. He is currently serving a four-year and eight-month sentence imposed in November 2024 in the “Hong Kong 47” case over an unofficial primary election for the city’s legislature. Wong also pleaded guilty in that case.

Without the latest case, Wong could theoretically have been released next year.

Critics of Hong Kong’s national security law say it has been used to target activities considered threats to the Chinese Communist Party’s rule, including those classified as subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial.

Several other prominent pro-democracy figures have also been convicted under the law. Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February after being convicted of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material.

By Sabina Mammadli