SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison under Beijing’s national security law, further extending his imprisonment in a case linked to allegations of collusion with foreign forces.
The 30-year-old activist was convicted after pleading guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. He was initially charged with the offense in 2025 and entered his guilty plea earlier this year.
Wong is already serving a four-year and eight-month prison sentence over his involvement in Hong Kong’s largest national security prosecution, which centered on an unofficial primary election organized by pro-democracy activists.
Before the latest prosecution, he had been expected to regain his freedom in January 2027. However, the new sentence has significantly changed that prospect.
Delivering the judgment, Judge William Tam described Wong’s role in the alleged conspiracy as particularly serious, identifying him as one of its masterminds.
The judge said Wong and fellow activist Nathan Law had continued efforts to establish direct contact with senior foreign government officials and institutions, seeking what authorities considered hostile interference in the affairs of China and Hong Kong.
Tam also referenced actions taken by the United States, including the withdrawal of Hong Kong’s special trade treatment and sanctions imposed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials, as examples of the measures allegedly encouraged by the activists.
In explaining the sentence, the judge said the punishment was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offense, express society’s condemnation, and discourage similar activities in the future.
According to the ruling, the court initially considered a 13-year prison term but reduced it after taking Wong’s guilty plea and mitigating circumstances into account.
His remaining two months from the earlier national security conviction will run concurrently with the new sentence.
Despite his lengthy imprisonment, Wong expressed no bitterness towards the Chinese or Hong Kong governments in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.
Writing from prison, he maintained that his political involvement was never motivated by hatred and insisted that he had never advocated independence for Hong Kong.
He said he genuinely believed his actions were lawful at the time but later came to understand that his judgment had been wrong.
Wong also revealed that he had used his nearly six years behind bars to pursue university courses and read hundreds of books, describing the experience as an opportunity for personal reflection and growth.
He expressed hope that he would eventually look back on his imprisonment as a difficult period that helped him become a more responsible and compassionate person.
His latest sentence adds another significant chapter to Hong Kong’s ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activists under the national security legislation introduced by Beijing.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
