Joshua Wong Sentenced to 10 More Years under Hong Kong Security Law

Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 additional years for collusion under Hong Kong’s National Security Law.

Joshua Wong, a prominent pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong, received a 10-year prison sentence on November 5, 2026, under the city’s National Security Law. He pleaded guilty two months earlier to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, admitting he collaborated with exiled activist Nathan Law to push for foreign sanctions targeting China and Hong Kong. The Guardian covered the sentencing.

Presiding Judge William Tam characterized Wong’s conduct as serious, noting Wong traveled to the U.S. before the law’s 2020 enactment to solicit foreign interference. The court ordered the new 10-year sentence to be served consecutively with his prior term, which had about five years remaining. This brings Wong’s total imprisonment to approximately 15 additional years. Wong has already served nearly six years in detention since November 2020, per Human Rights Watch.

The National Security Law, enacted by Beijing in 2020, has led to numerous convictions of pro-democracy activists. Amnesty International stated in a November 2026 report that the law is used "to punish dissent rather than to genuinely protect national security." Sarah Brooks of Amnesty International highlighted Wong's sentence as an example of legal mechanisms being employed to suppress political opposition.

The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong condemned the sentencing and called for Wong’s immediate release. The UK Foreign Office also criticized the extended imprisonment as emblematic of efforts to curb political expression under the National Security Law. The Guardian reported on these international responses.

Wong’s case exemplifies the growing legal constraints on political activism in Hong Kong, generating legal and human rights considerations for practitioners involved in international law, compliance, and human rights advocacy.