Overview
- On Wednesday, Joshua Wong told a government-appointed High Court judge he was guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in a trial overseen by Mr Justice William Tam.
- Wong is already serving a 4‑year‑8‑month sentence from a 2024 national security conviction and will face a separate sentencing hearing that could add years or, if the offence is judged grave, a life term.
- Prosecutors allege Wong and others, including fugitive ex-lawmaker Nathan Law, sought foreign sanctions, blockades or other hostile measures against Hong Kong or China in 2020 by lobbying foreign politicians, firms and the public.
- Courtroom access was tightly controlled with heavy security and limited seats, supporters rotated to see Wong, and rights groups say the case chills dissent while Hong Kong authorities argue the prosecutions are lawful enforcement.
- The plea is the latest use of the 2020 national security law that broadened Beijing and Hong Kong powers to criminalise ties with foreign actors, a shift that has jailed or driven many activists into exile and could prolong Wong’s detention pending sentencing.