Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong (黃之鋒) has been hit with a second charge under the Beijing-imposed national security law, while already serving time in prison.
Wong, 28, is currently serving a four-year and eight-month sentence handed down in 2024 for his role in an unofficial primary election.
On 6 June 2025, he was arrested in Stanley Prison by the police’s national security department and transported to the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.
There, he was formally charged with conspiring to collude with foreign forces, a national security offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Allegations of foreign collusion with Nathan Law and others
According to a charge sheet seen by the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), Wong is accused of conspiring with self-exiled activist Nathan Law (羅冠聰) and “other persons unknown” between 1 July and 23 November 2020.
The group allegedly requested foreign governments or organisations to impose sanctions or blockades against Hong Kong and mainland China.
The charge sheet further claims Wong conspired to solicit foreign interference aimed at “seriously disrupting” the development or implementation of Hong Kong and China’s laws and policies.
These actions, authorities allege, were likely to cause “serious consequences”.
Local media reported that the case has been adjourned until 8 August 2025.
In addition to the new charge, Wong was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering, according to a police statement. However, no charge related to that allegation has been filed.
Context: sweeping powers under 2020 law
The national security law was introduced in June 2020, when Beijing inserted the legislation directly into Hong Kong’s Basic Law following months of unrest.
It criminalises acts including secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Critics argue the law is broadly defined, enabling a clampdown on civil liberties.
Authorities have defended the law, saying it restored order after the 2019 protests and has stabilised the city.
Since its enactment, police have conducted sweeping arrests, with many civil society organisations ceasing operations under legal pressure.
Wong’s past convictions and rising sentence
Joshua Wong has been a central figure in Hong Kong’s democracy movement for over a decade.
He first rose to prominence as a student leader and later became known internationally as a vocal pro-democracy advocate.
In December 2020, he was sentenced to 13.5 months in jail for organising and participating in unauthorised assemblies.
A few months later, in April 2021, he received an additional four-month sentence for his role in a 2019 protest and for violating the city’s anti-mask law, extending his total sentence.
In November 2024, Wong was among 47 democracy activists and politicians sentenced following Hong Kong’s largest national security trial to date.
He and others were found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion in relation to their involvement in a 2020 primary election.
That trial, widely condemned by human rights organisations and foreign governments, drew particular criticism from the United States and the United Nations.
Sentences ranged up to 10 years, marking a significant chapter in the erosion of the city’s previously active democratic opposition.
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