Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison for conspiring to collude with foreign powers under the territory’s controversial national security law.
The sentence, delivered by Hong Kong’s High Court on Thursday, means Wong could remain behind bars until the end of 2036.
The 30-year-old activist is already serving a four-year-and-eight-month prison term for subversion over his involvement in an unofficial election primary held in 2020.
Wong had been expected to regain his freedom in January next year before the latest sentence extended his imprisonment.
He was accused of conspiring with self-exiled activist Nathan Law and others to urge foreign governments, organisations and individuals outside China to impose sanctions or take other actions against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments.
The offence of collusion with foreign powers carries a possible life sentence if the court considers the conduct to be of a serious nature.
Wong pleaded guilty to the charge in September, a decision that could reduce his sentence. However, he has maintained that he never advocated Hong Kong’s independence or sought to overthrow the Chinese government.
Delivering the judgment, High Court Judge William Tam said the punishment was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
“The punishment must fit the gravity of the crime,” Tam said.
The judge added that the court needed to demonstrate society’s condemnation of Wong’s alleged actions and conspiracy with foreign forces.
Tam said he had initially considered a 13-year prison term but reduced it after taking Wong’s guilty plea into consideration.
Wong’s latest conviction adds to his legal troubles under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 following months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
He was among 47 activists and opposition figures, collectively known as the Hong Kong 47, prosecuted for conspiracy to commit subversion over their participation in an unofficial primary election in 2020.
The case remains one of the largest prosecutions under Hong Kong’s national security legislation, which critics say has been used to suppress political opposition and restrict civil liberties.
Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, however, maintain that the law is necessary to protect national security and restore stability in the territory.
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