The UK and US have condemned the 10-year prison sentence handed to Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, with Washington calling for his immediate release and London accusing authorities of using national security legislation to punish political expression.
Wong, 30, was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to conspiring to collude with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s Beijing-imposed National Security Law. He has been in detention since 2020 and was previously expected to be released in January 2027.
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson described the sentence as “a clear example of how the National Security Law is being used to target individuals for political expression and participation”.
“We call for an immediate end to all unjust prosecutions of individuals charged under the National Security Law and urge the authorities in China and Hong Kong to honour the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong under the Sino-British joint declaration (1984),” the spokesperson said.
The US consulate in Hong Kong said it “strongly condemns” the additional sentence and called for Wong’s immediate release.
“Wong has been unjustly imprisoned since December 2020, demonstrating that Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong,” a consular spokesperson said.
The European Union also deplored what it described as a politically motivated sentence, calling for Wong’s immediate release. It said the timing of the charges and their political nature demonstrated a deterioration in the rule of law in Hong Kong.
“The timing of the charges and their political nature demonstrate a deterioration of the state of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and further weigh on Hong Kong’s international reputation,” said the European Union.
Beijing pushed back against the criticism. Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Wong had pleaded guilty in the face of overwhelming facts and evidence, adding that China firmly supported Hong Kong in safeguarding national security.
Beijing's foreign ministry said China "firmly supports [Hong Kong] in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law". It also demanded the "relevant parties" to "earnestly respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's legal system".
The Hong Kong government separately rejected the US consulate’s remarks, describing them as “groundless attacks and smears” and “despicable political manipulation”.
The government maintained that the court’s decision was well-reasoned and necessary to deter activities endangering national security.
Hong Kong leader John Lee had earlier described Wong, Law and their associates as among the “primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability”.
The sentence has also drawn condemnation from international human rights organisations. Human Rights Watch’s Asia director Elaine Pearson said: “The harsh sentence on baseless charges against Joshua Wong is cruel and unjust. Young people promoting social change are an asset for any vibrant society, but the Hong Kong government puts them behind bars.”
Amnesty International’s deputy regional director Sarah Brooks said the conviction was another reminder of how the national security law had become a tool to punish dissent.
“Today’s sentence is another grim reminder of how Hong Kong’s National Security Law has become a tool to punish dissent rather than to genuinely protect national security,” she said.
Wong’s new sentence is expected to keep him behind bars until late 2036, when he will be 40. Two months and two days of the term will run concurrently with his existing sentence.
The activist was previously jailed for four years and eight months for conspiracy to commit subversion in connection with an unofficial democratic primary election in 2020.
His latest conviction relates to allegations that he worked with Law and others to encourage foreign governments to impose sanctions or other measures against Hong Kong and China. The prosecution relied on Wong’s international lobbying, media appearances and social media activity.
Wong’s lawyer, Derek Chan, had urged the court to impose a sentence that would leave his client some hope, saying he wished to care for his parents after his release.
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