Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 years in prison under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The court announced the sentence on 5 November 2026 after Wong pleaded guilty to conspiring to collude with foreign forces.
Joshua Wong, 30, became internationally famous as a young student leader who campaigned for democracy and greater political freedom in Hong Kong. He first gained attention in 2012 when he led student protests against a government education plan. Later, he became one of the most recognised faces of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, which demanded democratic reforms and fair elections in Hong Kong.
According to the prosecution, Wong worked with other activists, including Nathan Law, to encourage foreign governments to impose sanctions and other measures against China and Hong Kong officials. Authorities considered these activities a threat to national security.
Wong pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2026. The judge initially considered a 13-year sentence but reduced it to 10 years because of his guilty plea and other mitigating factors.
This is not his first prison sentence. Wong was already serving four years and eight months in prison for his involvement in an unofficial election primary in 2020. He had previously been expected to be released in January 2027, but the new sentence means he could remain behind bars until late 2036.
