Hong Kong Democracy Activist Joshua Wong Admits Foreign Collusion Charge.

Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to a charge of colluding with foreign forces in a national security case that could result in a life sentence.

Wong, 29, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday at Hong Kong’s High Court in Admiralty.

The case relates to allegations that Wong called on foreign governments in 2020 to impose sanctions, blockades or other hostile measures against China and Hong Kong following Beijing’s introduction of a national security law in the territory.

The offence carries a prison sentence of three to 10 years, but a life sentence is possible if the court considers the offence to be of a grave nature.

Wong is already serving a sentence of nearly five years for subversion and was expected to be released next year. His latest conviction could extend his imprisonment significantly.

Prosecutors accused Wong of writing articles and speaking to international media in support of sanctions against China and Hong Kong. They also said he had met foreign politicians, including former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

After the charge was read in court, Wong stood and confirmed his guilty plea. The judge said sentencing would take place “as soon as possible”, although no specific date was announced.

Wong became one of the best-known figures in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement after emerging as a prominent student leader during the 2014 Umbrella Movement. He later co-founded the pro-democracy political party Demosisto, which dissolved in 2020 after the national security law came into effect.

His latest case comes amid continued prosecution of Hong Kong democracy activists under the national security law. Two other activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, were found guilty last month of inciting subversion.

The cases have drawn international attention and renewed criticism from Western governments and rights groups over Hong Kong’s treatment of political activists.

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