Joshua Wong Pleads Guilty Under Security Law

Joshua Wong pleaded guilty in Hong Kong’s High Court on Wednesday to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, adding a second national security conviction to the prison term he is already serving. The charge was brought under Beijing’s 2020 national security law for Hong Kong and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Wong, 29, entered the plea in a hearing before Judge William Tam, according to multiple reports. He is already in prison for a separate national security case tied to an unofficial 2020 primary election. The case centers on allegations that Wong worked with other activists to press foreign governments to take action against Hong Kong and China during 2020. Reuters reported that the offense was framed as collusion with foreign entities, while other reports described the charge more fully as conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. The hearing took place as Wong remained in custody on his earlier sentence of four years and eight months. (msn.com) ### What exactly did Joshua Wong admit in court? Joshua Wong admitted guilt to a foreign collusion charge under the national security law at the September 2 hearing in Hong Kong. Reuters reported that he pleaded guilty to collusion with foreign entities, while AP and other outlets said the formal count was conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. Those descriptions refer to the same case arising from alleged efforts to seek outside pressure on Hong Kong authorities. (msn.com) The New York Times reported that prosecutors accused Wong of urging Western politicians including Nancy Pelosi and Marco Rubio to pressure Hong Kong through sanctions. UPI reported the accusation as a conspiracy to request other nations to sanction China and Hong Kong. Court coverage across outlets said Wong entered the plea without contesting the charge. (msn.com) ### Why is this his second national security conviction? Wong is already serving a prison sentence in the “47 democrats” national security case linked to an unofficial primary election held in 2020. Multiple reports said he had previously received four years and eight months in that subversion case. Wednesday’s plea therefore marks his second conviction under the law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in June 2020. (nytimes.com) BBC and other outlets said Wong had been one of the most recognizable figures in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. His earlier activism began as a student leader and later continued through Demosisto, the political group that was disbanded after the security law took effect. Those details help explain why his court appearances continue to draw international attention. ### How much more prison time could he face? (hongkongfp.com) The national security offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to Reuters, BBC and other reports. Some coverage citing the law’s sentencing bands said a standard case can bring three to 10 years in prison, with life possible in cases deemed grave. The exact term Wong faces will depend on how the court classifies the conduct and how it weighs his guilty plea. (bbc.co.uk) Radio Free Asia reported, citing a legal expert, that Wong would likely have to serve any new sentence after his current term ends in January. TVB reported that the defense asked the court to sentence him within the lower band and that the hearing was adjourned after about two hours. Neither report said the court had fixed a sentencing date on Wednesday. (msn.com) ### What conduct did prosecutors tie to “foreign collusion”? Prosecutors linked the case to efforts in 2020 to persuade foreign governments to impose sanctions or other measures on Hong Kong and China, according to reports from Reuters, UPI and the New York Times. The allegations fit a core provision of the security law, which criminalizes requesting hostile action by foreign institutions or officials. Wong’s plea means the case will move directly to sentencing rather than to a contested trial. (rfa.org) Hong Kong’s authorities have used the security law widely against opposition politicians and activists since 2020. AP described the law as having stifled the city’s once-thriving pro-democracy movement, an assessment attributed in its report to the broad effect of prosecutions under the statute. Wong’s case now joins that larger body of security-law proceedings. (msn.com) ### What happens next in court? Judge William Tam adjourned the case for sentencing on a future date that had not been announced in the reports reviewed on Wednesday. Hong Kong Free Press had earlier reported from the judiciary diary that Wong was scheduled to appear on September 2 for the plea and sentencing hearing, but same-day coverage said sentencing was put off. Wong remains in prison under his existing sentence, which TVB said was initially due to end in January 2027. (usnews.com) (hongkongfp.com)