Joshua Wong Pleads Guilty to Hong Kong National Security Charge

Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong democracy activist, pled guilty Wednesday to a national security allegation of conspiring with foreign entities. Under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, the maximum sentence for the offense is life imprisonment.

Wong, 29, appeared before a government-approved national security judge at the Admiralty High Court. Wearing a dark blue shirt and black-rimmed glasses, he waved and nodded at the audience before delivering his guilty plea.

Several Western ambassadors were present for the session.

Joshua Wong Case Centres on Foreign Sanctions

Prosecutors focused on the operations of Demosisto, a political organization that was later liquidated and once included Wong among its leaders. The prosecution said that the gang carried out a worldwide media and political campaign in 2019 and 2020 to encourage sanctions against Hong Kong and China.

Demosisto also supports conducting a referendum on Hong Kong’s sovereignty.

According to a charge sheet obtained by Reuters, Wong collaborated with exiled activist Nathan Law and others to seek sanctions or blockades from foreign governments, organizations, institutions, and individuals outside of China.

The alleged activities occurred between July 1 and November 23, 2020, according to the charging document.

Wong is already serving a prison sentence for a prior national security violation. He was convicted of conspiracy to commit subversion for participating in an unauthorized primary election organized by pro-democracy figures in 2020.

His existing sentence is set to expire next year.

Joshua Wong Among Activists Facing National Security Cases

Wong rose to worldwide prominence as a teenage democracy fighter in Hong Kong. He was one among several young activists whose political activities were limited by Beijing’s 2020 security law.

International human rights organizations and certain Western governments are keeping a careful eye on his new case, which involves the enforcement of the National Security Law.

The hearing took place after two other Hong Kong activists were found guilty of inciting subversion last month. Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, were part of a group that held annual vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.

On June 30, 2020, Hong Kong’s National Security Law went into effect. It was implemented following months of often violent pro-democracy protests that erupted in 2019.

Human rights organizations and numerous Western nations have criticized the law, claiming that it is overly broad and threatens the freedoms given to Hong Kong after it was returned to Chinese control in 1997.

Officials in Hong Kong and China have justified the legislation, claiming that it was vital to restore peace following the upheaval.